2014/2015 Euroleague recap

Another hot day of exciting Basketball action fell on Europe during Friday as Round 3 of the 2014/2015 Euroleague was completed. Six games happened on the night as CSKA Moscow, Barcelona, Malaga, and Olympiacos all maintained their unblemished records.

For all the action from Thursday’s games, check out our 2014/2015 Euroleague Round 3 Day 1 report

Group B

Cedevita Zagreb vs. CSKA Moscow, 72-76
CSKA kept its perfect start to the season in check, but faced a tough test on the road in Croatia against Cedevita Zagreb. An edgy encounter was ultimately decided in the third frame, but at the start of the contest Zagreb outpaced the visitors through a bucket for bucket first quarter, opening a 19-18 lead at buzzer one. The hosts built on their advantage with a winning 20-18 second quarter, but with a halftime score of 39-36 it was still anybody’s game. CSKA propelled by a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds from Kyle Hines won the game through the second half, taking the quarter 10-17 before holding Cedevita 23-23 through the last act.

Unicaja Malaga vs. Limoges, 75-69

Consistent scoring and a big third quarter gave Spanish club Unicaja Malaga a win over French team Limoges at home, keeping the hosts untouched on 3-0. A hot first quarter saw Malaga always keep the away team at arm’s length, although it remained close at 20-19 through 10 minutes. Baskets continued to be traded through a very close second stint, but the home team once again edged it to lead 38-36 at the long break. Unicaja Malaga went hot in the third stanza, outstripping Limoges 25-14 to extend its lead to thirteen points after half hour (63-50). The double digit deficit was tested through Q4 by a 12-19 run by the visitors, but Malaga had enough points in the bank to take the win.

Group C

Bayern Munich vs. EA7 Milan, 74-81

Both of these teams were surprise packages last season but are finding the going decidedly tougher in the 2014/2015 Euroleague. Milan won this contest to claim their first win of the competition, joining Munich on 1-2 in Group C. EA7 stunned the German crowd over a high scoring opening frame, taking a 21-25 lead into the second quarter. Bayern responded in the second quarter to take the period 22-18, tying the game at the midway buzzer, the score locked at 43 apiece. Munich kept the momentum in the third stanza, winning the 10 minutes 16-13 to lead 59-56 with one quarter left. In the last period Milan came back into it and turned the game around to come away with victory. John Bryant was a double-double leader for the hosts with 12 points and 10 boards, but it was not enough to propel the team to victory.

Barcelona vs. PGR Turow Zgorzelec, 86-67

Spanish giant Barcelona once again looked in formidable mood as they dismantled Polish champs PGE Turow in Catalonia. PGE Turow tried to match their illustrious hosts during the opening act, but Barca managed to edge the first quarter to lead 23-21. The home team started moving through the gears at both ends of the hardwood and a 26-16 run in the second period led to a commanding 49-37 halftime advantage. Barcelona extended in the third frame by sinking 23 points and holding Zgorzelec to 18, enough for a 72-55 score through half hour. In the fourth quarter the hosts used their experience and squeezed the game, closing the contest in style and comfort.

Group D

Neptunas Klaipeda vs. Olympiacos, 81-85 OT

Greek powerhouse Olympiacos has not been purring this season, but the club has gone about its business quietly and now sits 3-0 at the top of Group D, unbeaten in the 2014/2015 Euroleague. Lithuanian club Klaipeda proved to be a test at home though, although the Greeks looked in control through the first half, winning Q1 15-17 and then the second quarter 15-21. As the players headed into the locker room, Olympiacos led 30-38. Neptunas hit back in the third quarter with a big frame, outgunning the Greek giants 25-17 to restore parity at 55-55 after three quarters. Nothing could separate the teams through the fourth as they tied the game 76 apiece as the buzzer sounded to end regulation. In the added stint Olympiacos took it to the wire to edge the OT period 5-9 and celebrate the win.

Laboral Kutxa Vitoria vs. Galatasaray, 91-90

A high scoring and exciting contest saw Turkish club Galatasaray travel to Spain and take Vitoria to the edge, ultimately slipping to defeat by a single score. Gala spurred themselves to an early lead, taking a thrilling first quarter 23-24. The second period continued in the same vein, with the buckets raining and the crowd pumped, but the visitors held on to edge the frame 24-25. At the midway point the game was up for grabs with the scoreboard reading 47-49. Another shot for shot quarter followed in Q3, but this time Laboral Kutxa Vitoria had the touch, ousting the visitors to tie the contest at 70-70. Nothing could separate the teams down the stretch, or at least until Colton Iverson laid up for the hosts with 2.9 seconds on the clock. It was a game winning hit to cap a stunning Euroleague contest.