NY Harlem shake defenders on Day 1 at FIBA 3x3 Hungary Masters 2020

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - NY Harlem had a clean 2-0 record on the opening day of the FIBA 3x3 Hungary Masters on September 1, 2020.

THE TEAM

So much could go wrong for the number 4 team in the world in a pool of death with the 6th and 7th ranked team, Sakiai (LTU) and Piran (SLO). The New Yorkers responded with 2 wins before the limit (21-17 and 21-15 respectively). The number one player in the U.S. Dominique Jones aka 'Disco Domo' was in party mood (13 points, 5 key assists in 2 games) but it was his teammate Joey King, who topped all scorers on Day 1 with 17 points. The former University of Minnesota star also ranked second overall in rebounds (12).

Also undefeated

If we hadn't led on them in the preview, we probably would have given Novi Sad (SRB) the headline. To be fair, their pool was on another level but just 2 days after a disappointing Debrecen Masters, the Serbs came back hungrier than a UFC fighter after the weigh-in. Only thing you have to know is they set the 2 best marks for Tissot Fastest Game on Day 1. Novi Sad transformed the 10-minute sprint into a 6-minute dash. The Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) game was over at 5'53". Humpolec Bernard (CZE) lasted a few seconds more (6'19"). The number 1 player in the world Dusan Bulut was good (12 points). His teammate Marko Savic shined even brighter with 14 points and 7 key assists, some of them soooooo smooth.

 
Ub (SRB) also had a perfect record and managed to spend even less time than Novi Sad on the court as Debrecen (HUN) had to forfeit their second game due to injuries. But in just 1 game, the Serbian team formerly known as Vrbas caught our eye by beating the number 3 team in the world Riga (LAT) (21-16)

THE GAME

If you had to watch just 1 game from Day 1, check out Liman (SRB) vs. Jeddah (KSA). The main draw opener was a nail-biter, which ended with fireworks from behind the arc. One year after playing hero in the final of the Debrecen Masters 2019, Maksim Kovacevic killed it again in Hungary. He had a game-high 10 points and hit the Tissot Buzzer beater from behind the arc in overtime. Good news: both teams ended up qualifying for the quarter-finals.

 
THE PLAYERS

Ever heard of the player value? This is the 3x3 metric for a player’s statistical contribution on the court.

• The 'Serbian Surgeon' Marko Savic led all players with 27.6 in just 2 games (impressive knowing Stefan Stojacic had the 3rd best player value in World Tour history last Sunday with 46.3 in 5 games)
• Westher Molteni did it all for Lausanne (SUI) with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks in 2 games for a total of 21.4 in Player Value but could not help his team make it to Day 2.
• The leading rebounder (14) one-handed 2-point shooter Agnis Cavars (Riga, LAT) ranked 3rd with 18.1.

 MORE STATS

• Marijus Uzupis had the only Triple 5 of the day in Sakiai's loss against Piran: 7 points, 7 highlights and 6 rebounds.
• We mentioned Novi Sad had the 2 Tissot Fastest Games of the day. Their win vs. Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy now ranks 1st in the season rankings. It was only 22 seconds longer than the Tissot Fastest Game of the entire World Tour 2019 season, a game won by NY Harlem against San Juan (PUR) at the Montreal Masters.
• There was just 1 Tissot Buzzer Beater on Day 1, the one we mentioned earlier in this recap, courtesy of Maksim Kovacevic.

 
THE PHOTO



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