CSKA Moscow survives Real Madrid in another EuroLeague classic

CSKA Moscow stood tall in a late thriller and defeated fellow EuroLeague powerhouse Real Madrid (74-73).

A four-point play by Mike James, with 2.5 seconds to go, gave the Muscovites a big win at home.

The American guard exploded for 28 points for the winners, whereas Trey Thompkins posted 14 for the losing squad.

CSKA extended its EuroLeague winning streak to six games and improved to 8-3.

On the other hand, Real, which led by 11 early in the game (25-36), saw its five-game winning streak in the EuroLeague come to an end, dropping to 6-5.

Despite being short-handed, Anadolu Efes claimed its fifth win in the last six EuroLeague games, after rallying past Crvena Zvezda (64-75).

Shane Larkin (18 points) and Adrian Moerman (17 points) combined for 35 points for the winners.

On the contrary, Corey Walden posted a team-high 14 for the losing squad.

Efes now is at 6-4 in the EuroLeague standings, whereas Zvezda dropped to 4-7.

Zenit St Petersburg remained undefeated on the road (5-0) after defeating Zalgiris in Kaunas (75-83).

The Russians led by 13 at halftime (32-45) and extended it to 25 in the third quarter, cruising to the victory.

For their part, the Lithuanians cut the deficit to six late in the fourth quarter, but ran out of time and lost for the fourth straight time at home.

Zenit improved to 6-2, whereas Zalgiris now is at 5-6.

Baskonia took advantage of Olympiacos’ issues and lack of rhythm and claimed a valuable win on the road (76-90).

The Basques led by 16 at halftime (31-47) and never looked back, as the “Reds” never recovered.

Olympiacos suffered its third loss at home and now has a 5-4 record. For their part, Baskonia now is at 5-5 in the EuroLeague standings.

ALBA Berlin claimed its third victory in the EuroLeague, after dominating Khimki at home (100-80).

The Germans came back from an early deficit (0-10) and decimating their opponents on both ends.

Six players scored in double figures for the winners, with Niels Giffey posting a EuroLeague career-high of 22 points.

ALBA improved to 3-6 in the EuroLeague standings, whereas Khimki stayed next-to-bottom at 2-8.

Malcolm Delaney hit the game-winning two-pointer, with 3.6 seconds to go, and Armani Milano edged Maccabi Tel-Aviv on the road in overtime (85-86).

The Italians were in control until halftime (35-46), yet the Israelis turned things around and took over in the final quarter.

A four-point play by Kevin Punter, though, sent the game into overtime, where Delaney sealed the deal for the winners.

Armani now is at 5-3, whereas Maccabi lost its third game in a row and dropped to 3-8.