The Jewish Chronicle

Omri starts to call the shots in NBA

- BY SIMON GRIVER

BASKETBALL OMRI Casspi is enjoying his best-ever season in the NBA as the Sacramento Kings challenge for a place in the end-of-season playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Last month the Israeli forward, 27, establishe­d himself in the Kings starting five for the first time since joining the NBA in 2009. He scored a career high 36 points in the 122-103 defeat to NBA champions Golden State Warriors.

Kings coach George Karl even joked that he “felt naked without Casspi to bring off the bench”.

Sidelinedb­yabackinju­ryatthebeg­inning of the month, Casspi came off the bench to score 17 points in the 110-103 win over LA Clippers. Casspi, 27, is averaging 13 points a game this season and has the third best record in the NBA for scoring three-pointers.

Asked about his improvedfo­rm,Casspi said: “Experience comes into play — I’m learning my game, learning the NBA. I have a few years under my belt, with different coaches. I’m finally playing the system that I wanted my whole career, with the right spacing, right passing and making plays.”

 ??  ?? Omri Casspi
Omri Casspi

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