Regal FC Barcelona stayed undefeated with a 94-80 victory at home to Zalgiris.
Despite the double-digit victory though, the hosts were made to work hard for their win, only pulling away in the final quarter by winning it 31-21, thanks to an 8-0 start which Zalgiris couldn’t counter.
The Kaunas side though gave a good accounting of themselves against one of the Euroleague favourites and have nothing to be ashamed of.
Erazem Lorbek paced the victors with 19 points with Juan Carlos Navarro scoring 16, as the Eurobasket MVP continues his role off the bench.
Sonny Weems led the Lithuanians with 17 points but an honourable mention goes to Mantas Kalnietis, who racked up nine points, nine rebounds and four assists.
“We lost our equilibrium defensively (in the first half), we didn’t stop their penetration on their pick-and-roll, and that allowed Zalgiris to get in the game,” Barcelona coach Xavi Pascual said.
“In the second half the game changed, we defended much better.”
Montepaschi Siena had little trouble in defeating Unicaja in Malaga, as the Italians strolled to victory 91-68.
David Moss led with 20 points as Siena led early and never looked in any real danger, keeping a double-digit lead for the majority of the contest.
Ksistof Lavrinovic added 18 points also for Montepaschi. Unicaja were led by Joel Freeland’s 14 points, as he returned to the starting five after a minor spell off the bench, but unfortunately, Freeland’s side now slump to 0-3.
Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu was in attendance for the game in Malaga.
The third team to go 3-0, and fourth overall is CSKA Moscow who bested Galatasaray 85-70.
Nenad Krstic came off the bench to lead the Russians with 20 points. He also added nine rebounds to his statline and gained the week three Euroleague MVP honours.
Elsewhere, Bennet Cantu continued their good form at home and caused the shock of the week by defeating Maccabi Electra 82-74 at the Pala Desio.
Gianluca Basile led Cantu with 14 points, supported by Georgian big-man Giorgi Shermadini with 13. Maccabi were paced by Keith Langford’s 16, as he was the only player in double-digits on a disappointing night in Italy.
Panathinaikos got back to winning ways with a 77-55 win at Fenerbahce as the Turks drop their first game at their new Fenerbahce Ulker Arena.
Kostas Kiamakoglou hit 19 points for the Athens side.
