CSKA Moscow defeated champions Real Madrid 96-87 in an early Euroleague Top 16, Group F encounter in the Spanish capital.
The win was CSKA’s fifth in a row as they jumped back into top spot in the group with a 7-2 record, but that might change by the end of play on Friday when second placed Laboral Kutxa travel to Olympiacos.
Real Madrid though remain in third place with a 5-4 record as they allowed CSKA to score 32 points in the final ten minutes, taking a 64-62 deficit at the end of the third period into a 12-point gap near the mid-way point of the fourth.
Led by Sergio Rodriguez, the Euroleague holders looked dangerous in the final two minutes and they narrowed the gap to five points with 45 seconds left as the Muscovites looked shaky and out of sorts on offence.
Foul shots by Nando De Colo plus a game-winning three-point play by Victor Khryapa though made it safe for CSKA Moscow.
“The game was difficult and hard to play with the Madrid fans helping them,” Khryapa said. “But it was good basketball. It’s always tough to play here. Last year, they won the title, so there’s more pressure on them. But the team is great and we had two great teams against each other. So it was good basketball.”
Kyle Hines led the way with 16 points in 7/9 shooting with Milos Teodosic adding 15 points for CSKA. Gustavo Ayon led all scorers for Madrid with 20 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.
“They were more steady than us,” admitted Real Madrid coach Pablo Laso. “We had solid moments, but I don’t think we had a great game, in general terms. I believe that we lacked the solidity that you need when you play against a great team.”
