The first night of EuroLeague action gave us a nailbiter last season’s EuroCup winners beating the reigning EuroLeague holders and a career night from a Eurobasket champion.

Real Madrid secured an 88-74 road win against Anadolu Efes as Luka Doncic continued on from his sublime international form by pouring in a career-high 27 points for the Spaniards.

Pierre Jackson also had 27 points as he guided Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv to an 88-71 win over Brose Bamberg in northern Germany.

Nikos Zisis had 16 points in vein for the hosts.

CSKA Moscow trailed by as many as 16 points but eventually got a hard-fought 93-84 win over Olimpia Milano in the Russian capital.

Cory Higgins led the Muscovites with 19 points. On his return to the EuroLeague from a year with the Philadelphia 76ers, Sergio Rodriguez added 20.

Olympiacos relied on their veteran Georgios Printezis as they overcame Baskonia 75-64.

Printezis scored 17 points for last season’s runners-up.

Fenerbahce began the defence of their EuroLeague title with a narrow 68-67 loss over last season’s EuroCup winners Unicaja Malaga in the now traditional champion vs champion opener.

Giorgi Shermadini led the winners with 12 points.

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