• Narration Match statistics

The Russian week of Baskonia has ended with two new defeats. In the numerical, both add the same: nothing. In qualitative terms, on the other hand, the one that suffered Wednesday in St. Petersburg had nothing to do with that of Friday in Moscow (94-90). While before the Zenit Ivanovic deployed an improper basketball of the Euroleague, before the CSKA appeared interesting green shoots for the most immediate future. Except in the third quarter, in which he was at the mercy of the European champion, the Vitorian team managed to guard his rival. Baskonia, in short, greatly improved despite the defeat and, although not happy, may well return home satisfied with the work done.

Ivanovic's team, playing as he did, could have won against many rivals, but not against this infinite rotation CSKA and overflowing talent, that of Mike James (33 points) above the rest. The duel served for the claim of Youssoupha Fall , who with 19 points and 10 rebounds kept alive the Baskonist flame in the last quarter, in which he abated the Vitorian painting with a comeback that would have been epic. He stayed in the way of turning around a 19-point handicap, but at least he regained self-esteem.

The beginning of the Barça duel was also convincing. Given the circumstances, the mood of the team and the entity of the opponent, the first five minutes of the match were perhaps the best of Baskonia throughout the season. His first nine attacks ended in basket or free throws, with Shengelia delivering four assists and 80% success in field throws. In another encounter, that offensive performance would have given Ivanovic's a gigantic advantage. The CSKA, on the other hand, found in James an excellent burning nail to hold on to.

The resistance of Fall

After the initial 12-21, the Russians traced to 25-22, thanks to 13 points from the US base. The offensive rebound and the centimeters of Fall allowed the Baskonia to maintain the balanced duel and compensate for the greater technical quality of Itoudis's box, which almost every move managed to have a clear shot option. Not because Baskonia defended badly, but because his ball circulation was outstanding. Hence the end of the duel with 13 triples scored.

The Ivanovic team remained involved in the match until the third quarter, in which the CSKA squeezed the turbo and deployed an excellent basketball, perhaps the best that can be seen on the continent. To his success in attack he added an aggressiveness in defense and a forcefulness in the rebound that completely halted the Baskonia's scoring tracks. Thus, in the middle of the final quarter, the Russians set a maximum income of 19 points in their favor (86-67).

And there began a phase of the match that nobody expected. The CSKA relaxed and Baskonia refused to leave Moscow with a new beating. Between Fall and Janning, eight points each, those of Ivanovic signed a partial of 2-16 that reduced the difference to only five points to a minute of the end. The Russians felt fear in the body, but reacted in time to avoid the debacle. For Baskonia, the result was the same, but in that attempt to come back they showed that they are much more alive than it seemed. Now they have to continue their good game, starting with the visit to Real Madrid this Sunday.

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