Euroleague: Real Madrid stunned, CSKA Moscow marches on
An early start for the Euroleague this week opened round three of the 2016/2017 Regular Season. There will actually be two rounds this week in the busiest Euroleague week for many years. Four contests took place on Tuesday, with another four closing Round 3 on Wednesday. Round 4 will then tip off on Thursday and run through Friday.
Real Madrid vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 87-91
Baskonia showed that it is the real deal this season by edging Real Madrid in a compelling Spanish derby. Beating clubs like Madrid will be part and parcel of what is necessary if Baskonia Vitoria is to win this competition for the first time. In this game, the guests exploded at the start for a 19-32 advantage through ten minutes. With something to protect, Baskonia did that and weathered Real Madrid’s fightback in the remaining frames to take the win.
Jaka Blazic led the win with 21 points, while Johannes Voightmann notched a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Tornike Shengelia added 14 points for Baskonia.
Gustavo Ayon claimed 16 points for Real Madrid, followed by Luka Doncic with 15 points and Sergio Llull with 13 points. Anthony Randolph scored 9 points and collected 13 board.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. CSKA Moscow, 87-93
CSKA Moscow traveled to Istanbul and maintained its unbeaten start to the season, while in the process the reigning Euroleague champs plunged Anadolu Efes into a mini crisis. The Turkish club is without a win in three games. The new league format where all teams play each other means Efes has time to recover, but it has been a torrid start. The difficulties of this historic season is evidenced by the fact CSKA is one of only two teams with a 100% record this early in the campaign. In the game, the Army Men managed to stay one step ahead of the hosts throughout for a relatively easy road success.
MVP Nando De Colo continued to lay his credential as “Euroleague’s best player” with 26 points and 6 assists in victory. Milos Teodosic remains an able deputy with 15 points and 8 scoring passes, while Cory Higgins added 13 points.
DeShaun Thomas led Anadolu Efes with 19 points and Derrick Brown scored 14 points.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, 91-81
Olympiacos collected its second straight win as the Greek former champs continued to warm into the season. Milan on the other hand was given its first loss of the season so far. Olympiacos drained 25 points in the first quarter for a six point lead, before going into halftime with a 46-41 advantage. The hosts extended in the third act for a cruising 70-61 lead through thirty minutes. A winning fourth quarter made the final minutes easy for Olympiacos as the home fans celebrated.
Vassilis Spanoulis looks rejuvenated and collected 16 points, a haul that was matched by Erick Green in the winning effort. Matt Lojeski and Daniel Hackett hit 10 points apiece.
Krunoslav Simon set the tone for Milan with 16 points, while Miroslav Raduljica added 14 points and Zoran Dragic drained 13 points.
Unics Kazan vs. Darussafaka Istanbul, 87-94
Darussafaka continued to impress in the early stages of the season with a good road win over Unics Kazan. The victory pushed the Turkish club to 2-1 in the standings, while Unics Kazan remains without a win and is tasting how tough Europe’s elite competition can be. Kazan actually held a one point lead at the long break, with the hosts heading in 47-46 in front. However, Darussafaka got mean in defence in the third act before raining down 29 points to take the contest in the fourth.
Brad Wanamaker was an attacking force with 22 points and 7 dimes in the win. He was followed by James Anderson with 18 points and Scottie Wilbekin with 13 points.
Keith Langford is the shining light for Unics Kazan, he nailed 22 points here. Artsiom Parakhouski plundered 17 points, while Quino Colom and Anton Ponkrashov hit 16 points each.