Euroleague: CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid both win

As a week of Euroleague games closed, Round 20 saw both Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow win to stay atop the standings. CSKA outfought Anadolu Efes Istanbul at home, while Madrid tasted home success over Milan. Elsewhere, Baskonia took out Barcelona in an all-Spanish game, Olympiacos put pressure on Bamberg, and Zalgiris downed Darussafaka.

CSKA Moscow vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 80-77

Euroleague champs CSKA Moscow hung on in the Russian capital with a narrow win over Anadolu Efes. The win means CSKA moves to 15-5 alongside Real Madrid at the top of the standings. As for Anadolu Efes, the Turkish club slips to 9-11. The hosts built on a high scoring 25-24 first quarter to open a 42-35 advantage by the long break. CSKA the lead was extended to 65-52 by thirty minutes, but Anadolu Efes drained 25 fourth quarter points to make it very interesting in the final minutes.

Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul vs. Zalgiris Kaunas, 66-69

These two clubs have had contrasting fortunes over the last seven days. Zalgiris Kaunas is having arguably its best Euroleague week of the season. After outgunning CSKA two days ago, the Lithuanian champs downed Darussafaka to move to 8-12 with Barcelona. As for Darussafaka, the club’s solid form has crumbled this week with two defeats and the team now hold an even 10-10 record.

FC Barcelona vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 79-93

It is becoming increasingly clear that Barcelona is simply not a title contender this season, while Baskonia may very well be. This all-Spanish contest went in favour of the Vitoria club by a comfortable distance as Barca crumbled at home. The hosts continue to tumble down the standings and not sits on 8-12, while Baskonia is in the mix at 12-8.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Brose Bamberg, 83-77

Olympiacos bounced back from its midweek loss to pile more misery on Brose Bamberg. The Greek club is now in sole possession of second place with a 14-6 record. Bamberg flew through the holiday period but is now sitting on four game losing streak and is now down with a 7-13 record. The hosts were in control for long periods of this contest and rarely looked like letting the lead slip.

Real Madrid vs. EA7 Milan, 94-89

Real Madrid edged Milan in a quality contest to return to the top of the standings with a 15-5 record. Milan’s recent two game winning streak represented a resurgence for the Italian champs, but the club is back to losing form after this contest and sits bottom with a 6-14 showing. Sergio Llull was at his attacking best for Los Blancos as he drained 20 points and handed out 9 scoring passes.