By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
It’s “just” an exhibition game in Euroleague’s US tour, still CSKA Moscow beat the Timberwolves in Minnesota 108-106 after overtime and the game is already a new chapter in the illustrious history of the Russian powerhouse. CSKA had a 42-24 lead in the first half and pushed Minnesota into a hard contest. Milos Teodosic was the star of the night as he had 26 points, 9 assists and with two free throws tied the score at the end of regulation, while Russian Alexey Shved had the chance to send the game into a second overtime, but he lost the last shot of the game.
It’s the third time that a European team beats an NBA team in North America. CSKA has beaten Cleveland (90-87) at 2010 and also Maccabi Tel Aviv has prevailed over Toronto Raptors (105-103) at 2005. At 2006, in its home court CSKA Moscow got the biggest win of its history against an NBA team by beating the Clippers 94-75.
Coach Ettore Messina said after the game: “We got the win, but we should not exaggerate it. Minnesota used its rotation actively, its reserves got a lot of playing time. The opponents are started to prepare for the season recently, they are not in their best shape. From the other side, our team deserved some praises because the opponents had to return their leaders on the floor to cut the difference in the first half. I don’t think that coach Rick Adelman planned to use his leaders for more than 25 minutes, because it increases the risk of injury on this stage. They were able to cut our lead in just 5 minutes. But our players did not play for 40 minutes as well. Anyway I am happy. We improved CSKA image in America. We played a good game not only for ourselves but for the fans too. We moved the ball well on offense and we had some good moments on defense. We had 30 assists in the end and that means that we demonstrated team basketball. And you should say good words about Teodosic who played shooting guard tonight. We will use him on this position often this season, I think he can make up a good duo with Pargo. Teodosic looked very well tonight after a long break”.
On the same night, Phoenix Suns hosted Maccabi Haifa and had their way with the Israelis as the final 130-89 proves.