Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: Valencia hits CSKA

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Round 22 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is underway with four games on Thursday before the competition breaks for a week for the FIBA international qualification games. Heading to the week off, Valencia Basket will be on a high after defeating Turkish Airlines EuroLeague leaders CSKA Moscow. Panathinaikos managed to edge Baskonia at home, while Maccabi Tel Aviv piled pressure on Barcelona with an easy win. Finally, resurgent Malaga destroyed Anadolu Efes on the Spanish south coast.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Barcelona, 94-82

Maccabi Tel Aviv comfortably saw off Barcelona in this clash between two former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champs. The win was enough to lift Tel Aviv to 12-10, while Barca’s misery continued as the club dropped to 7-15. Make no mistake, the Catalan could easily finished bottom of the standings this season. The hosts used a 24-15 second quarter to take the lead for good and eased through the second half against a Barca team clearly shot of confidence.

Panathinaikos Athens vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 80-76

Panathinaikos continued its solid form with a win over always tricky Baskonia in the Greek capital. A win for The Greens lifts them to fourth place with a 14-8 record, while Baskonia fell to 10-2 in mid table. Panathinaikos controlled much of the game and through thirty minutes found itself 67-53 in front. However, Baskonia is always a threat and rallied with a 13-23 fourth act. The visitors fell short, but game Panathinaikos a scare down the stretch.

Valencia Basket vs. CSKA Moscow, 103-99

Most expected CSKA to visit struggling Valencia and extend its lead at the top of the standings. Instead, Spanish champs Valencia edged a big scoring encounter to give itself confidence for the remaining rounds. The loss is only CSKA’s fifth of the season (17-5), but the club cannot lose first place this week. As for Valencia, the club moves to 8-14. The hosts beat 20 points in each quarter, including 28 points and 30 points in the second and fourth quarter. It was tight in the closing minute, but CSKA’s 33 points fourth quarter haul was not enough to swing the game.

Unicaja Malaga vs. Anadolu Efes, 81-68

EuroCup champs Malaga is turning its season around with three consecutive wins, while Anadolu Efes continues to be awful. The Spanish club swept aside the visiting Turkish outfit to move to 9-13 and 10th in the standings. Efes on the other hand props up the table with a woeful 6-16 record. This game was rarely in doubt as the hosts cruised 40-28 halftime lead and never looked back.

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