Euroleague: Giants and underdogs take wins
Round 18 of the 2016/2017 Euroleague is underway. There were five games on Thursday and there was plenty of action. CSKA Moscow continued top look good at the top with a win over Brose Bamberg, while Fenerbahce passed a Panathinaikos test in style. Elsewhere, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade’s awesome form continued with a win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, while Milan broke a ten-game losing run with victory over Galatasaray. Lastly,
CSKA Moscow vs. Brose Bamberg, 85-64
CSKA Moscow cruised to a home win over Brose Bamberg to stay top of the Euroleague standings with a 14-4 record. Bamberg dropped to 7-11 after two consecutive losses. The hosts were simply too strong in the game and eased to a 44-33 halftime lead. CSKA maintained the momentum in the third quarter with a 25-15 charge that made it 69-48 after thirty minutes before cruising to victory. Nando De Colo led the current champs with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Fenerbahce Istanbul vs. Panathinaikos Athens, 84-63
Fenerbahce clicked properly for the first time in weeks to swat aside former Euroleague champ Panathinaikos. The win means the Turkish champ jumps over Panathinaikos, with Fenerbahce moving to 11-7 and the Greek team falling to 10-8. The hosts drained 27 points for a 11 points lead after the first quarter. Some trading took place through the second and third acts, before Fenerbahce surged again with 24 fourth act points.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, 67-71
Crvena Zvezda Belgrade is the form team of the Euroleague and showed why with its fifth consecutive victory. The win means the Serbian champions is firmly in the tussle at the top of the standings with a 10-8 record. Tel Aviv on the other hand is having a season to forget and is now holding a 6-12 record. The hosts were actually in front 54-48 after three frames, but Crvena Zvezda roared back into the game with a 13-23 fourth act.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Galatasaray Istanbul, 92-87
If ever a team needed a win it was Milan. The club has lost its last ten Euroleague games, a streak that stretches back to the middle of November. The Italian champs could finally celebrate success again with a win over Galatasaray. The win moved Milan off the bottom of the standings in place of their opponents, with both clubs on 5-13 records. Milan finally found form at the bucket and drained over 20 points in each quarter to win the game.
FC Barcelona vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 89-78
Barcelona picked up a much-needed win to defeat Anadolu Efes. The Catalan club will now be looking to build on this win and pick up what has been indifferent form this campaign. The Spanish club moves to 8-10 alongside Anadolu Efes in mid table.