|
|
CSKA Moscow 77-50 Partizan
|
|
|
On a 48-hour mission
 The idea of playing two crucial playoff games within 48 hours could present a challenge for some teams, especially when too many players are forced into too many minutes in the first of those games. That was the case with CSKA Moscow, which used incredible efforts from J.R. Holden, Trajan Langdon and Erazem Lorbek in setting multiple defensive records in a Game 1 win over Partizan. But if there was any doubt about tiredness coming into Game 2, CSKA gave its answer early. Ramunas Siskauskas, Nikos Zisis and Terence Morris combined for 16 points during a 22-3 tear that bridged the first and second quarters as CSKA built a 30-8 lead that the defending champs would never relinquish. That trio played major roles on both ends of the floor, allowing CSKA head coach Ettore Messina to better space the playing time among all his players. On Thursday, no one on CSKA was on the court for more than 30 minutes. Siskauskas, Zisis and Morris all scored in double figures in Game 2 – part of 37 points that the champs got from reserves. In Game 1, the trio combined for just 12 and the team got just 15 total points off the bench. GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
|
Panathinaikos 79-84 Montepaschi Siena
|
|
|
A turnaround based on attitude
 When a team rallies from 16 points behind with 13 minutes left on the road - already down 1-0 in a playoff series, no less - the turning point can be described in one word: attitude. When Montepaschi was at its lowest in Athens on Thursday, staring at a 58-42 scoreboard late in the third quarter, it looked to everyone like the Italian champs were already one loss from elimination. To everyone, that is, except Montepaschi itself. With 18,000 devoted Panathinaikos fans chanting over their heads, the visitors got back the game with dizzying speed. First, crafty defender Shaun Stonerook forced a turnover that Rimas Kaukenas streaked with the other way for a layup. Then the same process repeated itself with Ksistof Lavrinovic stealing and Kaukenas finishing the break while getting fouled. Before he could shoot the free throw, Panathinaikkos took a timeout that didn't help the Greens, but gave Montepaschi a chance to reload. When Kaukenas missed his free throw, Lavrinovic rebounded masterfully and put it back. Before Panathinaikos could shoot again, its third straight turnover came on an amazing, out-of-nowhere steal by Terrell McIntyre that turned into a fastbreak layup for Marco Carraretto. In less than a minute, the difference had been cut in half, to 58-50, but in terms of attitude, the turnaround was already complete and Montepaschi on its way to a huge road upset that evened the series, 1-1. GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
|
Olympiacos 79-73 Real Madrid
|
|
|
A can-do veteran in the clutch
 It was like déjà vu all over again when Olympiacos, after being in control on its home floor for much of Game 2, found Real Madrid just one point behind with under 3 minutes left to play in the fourth quarter. What happened next would mark the difference between keeping or losing homecourt advantage with the series headed to Madrid next week. Acutley conscious of the moment, Olympiacos head coach Panagiotis Giannakis quickly got veteran Nikola Vujcic, the best passing big man of his generation, back in the game. Sure enough, the first time he touched the ball, Vujcic threaded a sweet bounce pass to a streaking Georgios Printezis for a great layup that gave the Reds some breathing space - but not much. The possessions went back and forth a couple more times before Vujcic, having been called for his fourth foul on an offensive charge, nonetheless didn't hestitate to defend for all he was worth as Felipe Reyes rumbled to the basket for Real Madrid. With that shot stopped, the Reds went the other way to attack the Madrid zone. When Vujcic cut to the top of the lane, Printezis returned the favor with a quick pass that Vujcic instantly converted with a right-handed jump-hook that gave Olympiacos a 74-69 lead with just over a minute left. By then, thanks to Vujcic, the Reds were on a clear path to a 2-0 series lead - one victory from the Final Four. GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
|
Regal FC Barcelona 85-62 Tau Ceramica
|
|
|
When reading the game is crucial
 Game 2 of their series had been balanced for 23 minutes, although Barcelona was holding slight leads over Tau Ceramica most of the way until then. That's when a three-pointer by Pete Mickeal brought Tau within 48-45 early in the third quarter. Barcelona needed to step up on defense and managed to do so right after Gianluca Basile helped keep Tau at a distance with a put-back layup. Tau big man Tiago Splitter soon picked up his fourth foul in his battle against Daniel Santiago and, right at that moment, Barcelona knew exactly what it had to do: power the offensive boards to find second-chance points. Ersan Ilyasova grabbed another offensive board and put the ball back for a 52-45 score. Mirza Teletovic missed twice from downtown while Ilyasova took over with an off-balance driving layup - and the free throw that came with it. Before anyone knew it, Barcelona had forged its first double-digit lead in the entire series, 55-45, and most important, managed to keep Tau scoreless for 3 long minutes. Both teams will probably go back to look at those minutes in videotape, as they were the turning point in Game 2, putting the series back on even footing as it heads to Vitoria for Games 3 and 4 next week. GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
|
Euroleague.TV Guest Viewer
Jiri Zidek
|
|
|
|
Former Euroleague champ Jiri Zidek was back as guest viewer on EBTV rewind and took a close look on Thursday at Game 2 of the Olympiacos-Real Madrid series...
|
|
Olympiacos 2-0 Real Madrid
"It's a 2-0 series, but both games were very tough. Olympiacos had to work hard to win both games. Overall, Game 2 was a great show of European basketball. Anyone watching had to feel entertained because of the high intensity on both ends of the court, on both offense and defense.
"Maybe Olympiacos was expecting something easier in the second game, but I would have to agree with the Madrid players who said that the experience of Olympiacos, with Nikola Vujcic and Theo Papaloukas, is paying off big-time right now. They really are making a difference. Even though Vujcic wasn't as productive in Game 2, he had a big part in Olympiacos winning it. Papaloukas was going to the basket more than he did on Tuesday. Maybe he knew they'd expect him to pass, so he looked at the basket more. I was surprised to see Josh Childress struggling as he was, but other players stepped up. Olympiacos played great defense on Louis Bullock, and Jannero Pargo deserves credit for setting the tone on that. Even though he picked up three quick fouls, Pargo didn't leave an inch for Bullock when he was in the game.
"As a former Real Madrid player, I was pleased by their performance in Game 2. They had lost a six-point lead in Game 1 on Tuesday and could have been psychologically shaken, but they came back and played a tough game. They needed one player to step up in the beginning, and that player was Felipe Reyes. He made great shots, pulled offensive rebounds and just was playing on instinct around the basket. He seemed to not think and just go to the hole on instinct. Bullock got going early, too, but after two fouls had to sit down, which was important because he's such a big factor for them. Madrid tried to play a tough game, offensively and defensively, but couldn't come through.
"Olympiacos capitalized on the homecourt advantage to be up 2-0, which is very important. Of course, the Reds want to wrap up the series sooner rather than later. Now the question is of how the 0-2 team, Madrid, bounces back on its own homecourt. After the way Madrid competed in the first two games, there is no reason not expect them to be able to win. Olympiacos will play with less pressure now. It could be that expectations due to their big roster take a lot out of Olympiacos and playing on the road they'll be loser, like in the last Top 16 game in Vitoria. One key for Olympiacos is getting the self-confidence back for Childress. He's a team player, remember. He won't take games over himself, and I think that Coach Giannakis kept him a long time on the court in Game 2, especially considering what shots he was missing. On the other hand, he kept fighting for offensive rebounds, played good transition defense and dove for loose balls, so you cannot say he wasn't trying. If they get Childress back in shape, stick to tough defense, control the tempo, commit few turnovers and cut down on Madrid's offensive rebounding, Olympiacos can win the series, even on the road.
"The key for Madrid is to forget its down 2-0 and take the series one game at a time. That's all you can do on the verge of elimination. If they think they need three wins, they'll never be psychologically ready for a team like Olympiacos. They need to keep being active on the boards, involve Felipe early and find a way, maybe with the pick-'n'-roll or screens, to create open space for Bullock, because the Olympiacos defense is really focused on him as Madrid's only outside threat. The ace up its sleeve for Madrid can be Sergio Llull, a young, exciting player who hasn't been consistent, but is only 21 and will be more comfortable at home. If he plays well, Madrid will have a chance to even the series."
Barcelona 1-1 Tau Ceramica
"These guys had two different results with high point differences, but you have to remenber that in a series, ultimately, it doesn't matter if you lose by 2 or 25. In that sense, it was a must-win for Barcelona on Thursday, but not Tau, which did what it came to do, steal one victory on the road. Tau will try now to wrap up the series at home."
CSKA 2-0 Partizan
"Despite the scores, don't count Partizan out. I expect them to give a fight to CSKA in Belgrade. But they are a very young team and it will require a lot on the part of Coach Vujosevic to mentally prepare them for the possibility of giving a good fight to CSKA even while down 0-2."
Panathinaikos 1-1 Montepaschi
"I think that Siena is clearly showing the benefit now of having been together for awhile and or all the success they have piled up in Italy and the Euroleague. All that experience makes them a tough team, and that's why they are going home with what they wanted, a 1-1 tie and the chance to win the series on their floor. They have put Panathinaikos in a tough spot."
|
|