Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: big games wrap Round 10

Round 10 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 2017/2018 season wrapped on Friday with three contests, and we are now exactly one third through the Regular Season. CSKA Moscow outlasted Barcelona in a clash between former champs. Panathinaikos was too strong for Unicaja Malaga in Athens. Finally, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade collected a rare win, while Real Madrid’s season continued to crumble.

CSKA Moscow vs. FC Barcelona Lassa, 92-78

In this clash between two former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions, CSKA controlled proceedings at home as the contest went to form. CSKA Moscow continued its hot form and stays joint top of the standings (8-2) with Olympiacos. As for Barca, its poor European form now extends to two seasons and the club is one a 4-6 record. A 24-24 first quarter suggested the game would be close, but by halftime CSKA had opened a 44-39 lead. The hosts consistently and steadily extended its lead through the second half and ultimately cruised to victory.

Will Clyburn drained 22 points in the win, while Cory Higgins added 20 points. Former MVP, Nando De Colo, secured a double-double of 18 points and 11 assists.

Kevin Seraphin and Thomas Huertal picked up 11 points apiece to drive Barcelona.

Panathinaikos Athens vs. Unicaja Malaga, 82-71

Panathinaikos continued its good Turkish Airlines EuroLeague form by seeing off Malaga at home. The Athens giant uses this win to move to 7-3 with Fenerbahce in the chasing pack. Malaga, in contrast, now sits on a 3-7 record and is at the bottom of the standings this week. The visitors will think they had a chance to win here as Malaga led 32-35 through the long break. The deficit was close enough for Panathinaikos to strike in the third quarter with 22-19 run that tied proceedings 54-54 through thirty minutes. The hosts had the momentum and a 28-17 run in the fourth settled the game.

James Gist grabbed a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds in the win, while Nick Calathes also doubled up with 16 points and 12 boards.

Nemanja Nedovic topped the losing effort with 16 points, followed by Carlos Suarez with 14 points.

Real Madrid vs. Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, 83-87

Crvena Zvezda has been off the boil this season, but the club picked up a major win in the Spanish capital to move off the bottom of the league (3-7). As for Real Madrid, the 2016 champs are in real danger of this continental campaign falling apart. The club has now lost five of its last six and we are no questioning if Los Blancos will even qualify. There is a lot of ball to be played, but the team is shot for confidence. In the end, this contest could have gone either way, but Crvena Zvezda led 58-67 through thirty minutes. Real Madrid left itself too much to do in the fourth act and the 25-20 rally left the hosts short at the final buzzer.

Taylor Rochestie rallied this winners with 18 points and 7 assists, while Milko Bjelica secured 16 points.

Madrid has arguably the best player in the league in Luka Doncic, who was excellent again with 20 points and 5 asssits.