Aaron Jackson stepped up with 4.4 seconds left to hit the game-winning free throws for CSKA Moscow as they edged fellow Russian side Lokomotiv Kuban 94-93 in Group F of the Euroleague Top 16.
It was Jackson that was chosen as the free throw taker, as Milos Teodosic drew the foul late on but couldn’t take the resulting shots due to an injured finger. Simas Jasaitis had one last chance to snatch the win for Kuban, but his three missed the target.
Jackson’s free throws ended nine lead changes in the fourth period alone, as Lokomotiv came back from 20 points down to almost get a monumental win over their Russian foes.
“It is clear that when you lose big advantage twice – and we were up by 20 in the second quarter and up by 16 in the beginning of the third quarter – it gives you a little bit bitter feeling even after a win,” CSKA coach Ettore Messina said.
“You think that, from one side, Loko played hard, and, from the other side, we played erratic at some point in the game. We made too many turnovers which led to fast breaks and easy points. Fortunately, [Teodosic] made some big shots and Sasha Kaun made big defensive plays. Our team played with great focus in the end and at the very important moment Jackson made two free throws despite being injured. I think it was a great game for the fans.”
Teodosic led CSKA with 25 points, including 15 in the final quarter before he came out injured. The Serb’s haul was vital as his side goes to 7-1. Derrick Brown had 23 for Kuban who drop to 3-5.
Bayern Munich continued their good form as they heaped more pressure on Zalgiris, beating them 79-73 at the Audi Dome.
The Lithuanian champions though were in control heading into the final ten minutes. Leading 59-52, Zalgiris suffered early as Bayern came back within the first minutes of the final period and sealed the win as Brice Taylor scored 11 of his game-high 22 points in that final ten minute stretch.
Bayern improve to 4-4 and fourth place in the group, while Zalgiris, led by Robertas Javtokas’ 18 points, prop up Group F with a 1-7 record.
Real Madrid joined CSKA at the top of Group F after they thrashed Partizan 80-57 in the Spanish capital as Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull put on a show for the Euroleague favourites.
Rodriguez and Llull led Madrid with 19 points each in what was an easy win for the Liga Endesa side.
Sasha Pavlovic and Bogdan Bogdanovic led Partizan with 10 points each as they fall to 1-7.
The Group E game saw Fenerbahce beat reigning Euroleague champions Olympiacos 78-74 in Istanbul.
Olympiacos were without Vassilis Spanoulis and it showed as at times the Greek side looked a little lost on offence. They still made it difficult for Fenerbahce though, but the Turkish side move to 4-4 in Group E, the same exact record as Olympiacos.
Linas Kleiza led Fenerbahce with 21 points.
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