Euroleague: Darussafaka snaps CSKA Moscow’s 100% run

A week that has a double header of Euroleague rounds continued on Wednesday as Round 7 of the regular season closed for business. We can now look ahead to Thursday when Round 8 tips off. However, there is much to discuss first in a day of action in the Euroleague.

The big talking points of the evening came as the last unblemished record this season was snapped. CSKA Moscow finally dropped a game on the road, with Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul claiming the scalp. Wednesday also threw up two clashes between multiple former champions of the Euroleague. Olympiacos outlasted Barcelona at home and Real Madrid did the same to Panathinaikos Athens.

Finally, Zalgiris Kaunas returned to winning ways with a cruising home success over Galatasaray Istanbul. The records will show that every home team tasted victory on this day.

Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul vs. CSKA Moscow, 91-83

Darussafaka is the surprise package of the season and defeated previously unbeaten CSKA Moscow in Istanbul. The win moves the club to second place with a 5-2 record, but CSKA holds on to first place with a 6-1 record. A 30-18 charge in the first quarter set the tone, and by the long break the hosts led 49-37. A 24-20 winning third act allowed Darussafaka to cruise through the final quarter despite a CSKA rally.

James Anderson topped the win with 20 points, followed by Brad Wanamaker with 18 points and 7 assists. Will Clyburn added 14 points for Darussafaka.

Cory Higgins and Nando De Colo led CSKA with 17 points apiece, while Milos Teodosic had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Barcelona Lassa, 59-52

Barcelona has looked good and looked bad, inconsistency has defined its Euroleague season so far. However, when playing the best in Europe, inconsistency is very dangerous. The former champ clashed with another former title holder in Olympiacos, with the Greek team taking the win. The hosts move to 4-3 while Barca slips to the same record. Barcelona’s 25 first half points were punished as Olympiacos remained consistent and thwarted a comeback in the second half.

The resurgence of Vasilis Spanoulis continued as the playmaker shot 15 points and dished 7 assists in the victory.

Jonathan Holmes led Barcelona with 13 points and 9 boards.

Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Galatasaray Istanbul, 87-75

Both these clubs have struggled this season, so this was the chance to get a win on the board against similar competition. The spoils went to Zalgiris at home, the Lithuanians cruising to the win and 2-5 in the standings. After the euphoria of a maiden win last week, Galatasaray came back to earth with a bang and is now getting set adrift at 1-6. Scoring consistency was the name of the game for Zalgiris as the team amassed 69 points through thirty minutes, including 29 points in the second act. Galatasaray couldn’t live with it and could only make it respectable in the fourth period.

Brock Motum drained 24 points for the hosts, followed by Leo Westermann with 16 points.

Sinan Guler scored 15 in the losing effort, while Blake Schilb added 12 points.

Real Madrid vs. Panathinaikos Athens, 87-84

Real Madrid edged this clash with rival Panathinaikos to move to 5-2 in the standings, while the Greek team slipped to 4-3. The hosts trailed 21-23 through the first quarter, but a 32-27 flurry in Q2 made it 53-50 to Los Blancos at the long break. The momentum stayed with the hosts, and the lead extended by a point to 72-68 at the final split. Panathinaikos made it interesting and tense in the final act, but the home team stayed on course for the win.

Sergio Llull was the standout contributor with 30 points in the win, while Anthony Randolph added 12 points.

James Feldeine scored 19 points to pace The Greens, with Nick Calathes adding 15 points and 9 assists. Ionannis Bourousis managed 13 points and 9 rebounds for Panathinaikos.