Euroleague: Too much CSKA for an improved Baskonia | Euroleague 2019

The team of Dusko Ivanovic shows his face in his visit to the European champion, despite being defeated in Moscow (94-90)

• Narration
  

  Match Statistics
  

The Russian week of Baskonia has ended with two new defeats. Numerically, both add the same thing: nothing. In qualitative terms, on the other hand, nothing had to do with the one who suffered on Wednesday in St. Petersburg with this 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, much better despite the defeat and, although not happy, may well return home satisfied with the work done.

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

The beginning of the duel of the Catalans was also convincing. Taking into account 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 an 80% success in field pitches. 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 allow the Baskonia to maintain the balanced duel and compensate for the greater technical quality of the Itoudis, that almost in every play it was able to have a clear shot option. Not because the Baskonia defended badly, but because his circulation of the ball 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 sum an aggressiveness in defense and a forcefulness in the rebound that completely stopped the Baskonia's scoring vases. 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 the 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.