Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: Real Madrid downs CSKA Moscow

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season is in full swing, and on Thursday Round 2 got underway with four contests. The biggest game of the day saw Real Madrid host CSKA Moscow in a clash between the two winningest clubs in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history. With home advantage, Real Madrid claimed a message-sending win.

Elsewhere, Maccabi Tel Aviv continued its solid start to the season with a win over Spanish visitors Baskonia, while Panathinaikos got on the board with a home win over struggling Brose Bamberg. Finally, reigning champs Fenerbahce continued its tricky start to the season, but claimed a win over Milan after an overtime period.

Real Madrid vs. CSKA Moscow, 82-69

The two largest clubs in EuroLeague history clashed in Round with Real Madrid (2016 champs) defeating CSKA Moscow (2015 winners). It was, in fact, a one-sided game as Los Blancos dominated in the Spanish capital. The hosts controlled from the start and flew to a 45-33 win through the long break. CSKA rallied in the third quarter, using a 11-20 run to get to within three points (56-53) after three frames. In the final act, Real Madrid regained the momentum and blew away CSKA with a 26-16 run.

Anthony Randolph paced the success with 16 points, followed by Felipe Reyes with 14 points.

Will Clyburn topped CSKA Moscow with 15 points.

Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 74-68

Former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champs, Maccabi Tel Aviv, made it two on the bounce with a big home win over Baskonia. The Israeli team is off to a flyer this season, but Baskonia is now left without a win after two games. In this contest, Tel Aviv managed to stay one step ahead and was 39-30 in front at halftime. Baskonia made a game of it with a 17-23 third act (56-53), but the hosts pushed on in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Norris Cole drained 24 points in the win, followed by DeShaun Thomas with 17 points.

Rodrigue Beaubois dropped 22 points in the losing effort.

Panathinaikos Athens vs. Brose Bamberg, 93-83

Panathinaikos secured its first European win of the season at the expense of German champs Brose Baskets. Spurred by the Athens faithful, The Greens took a seven-point lead from a 22-15 first act. In the second frame, Bamberg improved, but still the hosts led 43-35 at the long break. Panathinaikos kept the momentum in the third period with a 26-21 charge that made it 69-56 through thirty minutes. The game was beyond Bamberg in the fourth quarter.

Nick Calathes is hot early in the season and he topped the win with 23 points, while Chris Singleton managed a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Leon Radosevic and Ricky Hickman poured in 19 apiece for Bamberg.

Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan vs. Fenerahce Istanbul, 86-92 OT

EuroLeague champs Fenerbahce needed overtime to beat Milan on the road and secure its first continental win of the season. Milan edged the first half 38-37, but Fenerbahce hit top gear with a 16-27 third act that made it 54-64 scoreboard with 10 minutes to play. Milan rallied at home to tie the game at 80-80 through regulation time. In the deciding frame, the visitors had the scoring legs and edge to a welcome success.

Kostas Sloukas topped Fener with 17 points, followed by Brad Wanamaker and Luigi Datome scored 16 points each.

Amath M’Baye and Dairis Bertans also scored 16 each in the losing effort, while Jordan Theodore Vladimir Micov scored 15 apiece.

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