Euroleague: Real Madrid and Milan stay unbeaten

Four contests opened Round 2 of the 2016/2017 Euroleague Regular Season, with the remaining four games to be contested on Friday. Real Madrid and EA7 Armani Milan maintained 100% records to move to 2-0 in the standings. Olympiacos and Brose Baskets Bamberg got off the mark, while Unics Kazan and Maccabi Tel Aviv are still hunting the opening win.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Real Madrid, 82-89

2015 champions Real Madrid continued its hot start to this Euroleague campaign with an 82-89 road win over 2014 champs Maccabi Tel Aviv. A 16-20 first quarter and a commanding 17-26 second game the visitors a big 33-46 advantage through the long break. Tel Aviv finally clicked in the third act with a 24-16 run that made it 57-62 through thirty minutes. The hosts managed 25 points in Q4, but Los Blancos replied with 27 points to settle the game.

Jaycee Carroll topped Madrid with 18 points, while Rudy Fernandez added 16 points. Sergio Lull had a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists.

Victor Rudd compiled 18 points and 7 rebounds for Tel Aviv, followed by Andrew Goudelock with 16 points and 5 assists.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 90-66

Olympiacos dominated Anadolu Efes at home to open its win account and leave Efes without victory so far. Indeed, the Turkish club has looked outclassed through the first two weeks, whereas Olympiacos warmed into the competition here. A 28-16 winning first act set the tone for the Greek team, a haul that was matched in the fourth frame. During the middle quarters, Olympiacos eased but Anadolu Efes good not provide enough of a threat.

Vassilis Spanoulis was at his offensive best as he made 17 points and 9 assists in the win. Georgios Printezis was good for 15 points and 6 boards, while Matt Lojeski netted 14 points.

Cedi Osman stood out in the losing effort with a game high 22 points.

Brose Basket Bamberg vs. Unics Kazan, 89-86

German club Bamberg managed to register its first continental win of the season with a victory that left Unics Kazan chasing its first success for another week. The Russian visitors had actually made all the running through three quarters, and claimed a 60-67 lead at the final split. However, the Bundesliga champs drained 29 points in the fourth quarter to tip the game towards victory.

Janis Strelnieks took 17 points for Bamberg, while Nikos Zisis scored 16 points and 12 assists in an impressive double-double. Nicolo Melli and Darius Miller claimed 15 points apiece.

Keith Langford was hot for Kazan with a game high 24 points, a haul that was followed closely by Coty Clarke’s 20 points. Clarke also amassed 7 rebounds in the loss.

Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, 80-81

Neither of these teams is tipped to go the distance this season, but both opened their campaigns with wins last week. This, then, represented an excellent chance to make it 2-0 for the season for both clubs. A mini classic resulted in which visitors Milan left Turkey with a narrow win. Milan led 41-46 through halftime, but Darussafaka roared back in the second half and made it tight down the stretch. The Italian guests grabbed the win in the closing minute.

Milan Macvan grabbed 19 points and 6 rebounds in victory. Jamel McClean and Manta Kalnietis added 11 each to the final score.

Adrien Moerman notched a game high 20 points despite playing in the losing team, while Brad Wanamaker scored 16 points and James Anderson 14 points.