Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: Real Madrid finds win

A week of two rounds in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague continued on Thursday as Round 8 tipped off with four contests. Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a cruising win over Unicaja Malaga, while Maccabi Tel Aviv saw off Khimki in Russia. Panathinaikos traveled to Turkey and took out Efes by a single point, while Baskonia swamped Zalgiris.

Khimki Moscow Region vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv, 69-77

Khimki has suffered a poor week of two consecutive defeats, while Maccabi Tel Aviv bounced back from its midweek Turkish Airlines EuroLeague defeat. The visitors got most of the job done in the first quarter, opening a 9-point lead with a 19-28 first quarter. Khimki got back into the contest and through halftime it was 39-42. In the second half, Maccabi Tel Aviv won both frames to secure the important road win.

Pierre Jackson dropped 19 points in the win, while Michael Roll added 14 points.

Alexey Shved topped the scoring with 21 points for Khimki, while Thomas Robinson had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Anadolu Efes vs. Panathinaikos Athens, 81-82

Panathinaikos went two for two this week by edging Andolu Efes by a single point, snapping a two-game run for the Turkish club. The Greek giant opened a 44-48 advantage through the long break, but Efes kept going in the second half. The game seemed to be going to Efes as the hosts had possession in the final 11 seconds. However, James Gist blocked a jumper by Errick McCollum to edge it for The Greens.

Nick Calathes put in a career performance and went near a triple double with 29 points, 9 boards, and 10 assists.

Brock Motum added 21 points for Efes, while Errick McCollum missed the chance to win the game, but did finish with 16 points.

Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 77-97

Baskonia once again flexed its scoring muscles with a big win over Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania. The visitors were 15-21 through 10 minutes. A 17-33 second act followed which extended Baskonia to 32-54 at halftime. Zalgiris roared back into contention with a 25-16 third period that made it 57-70 through thirty minutes. However, Baskonia regained control and momentum with a 20-27 run in the fourth quarter.

Rodrigue Beaubois and Tornhike Shengelia both scored 19 points apiece in the win.

Paulius Jankunas scored 20 points to pace Zalgiris.

Real Madrid vs. Unicaja Malaga, 89-57

Staring down three straight defeats, Real Madrid faced Spanish rival and EuroCup champs Malaga needing a win. Not that Malaga does not need to collect more victories. As it was, Real Madrid got back to form in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with a resounding win. Madrid controlled the game from start to finish and was a comfortable winner in the Spanish capital.