By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow extended its winning streak to 7-0 by making short work of Olympiacos Piraeus 80 – 61 at home. The visiting side, that saw coach Giorgos Bartzokas ejected in the third period, fell to 5-5 after suffering their second consecutive loss.
While Mike James took a break from his recent “hot” scoring spree, he took care of business in multiple areas of the game, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds, even assists plus four steals.
“I am just happy we got a win,” James said. We’ve got to keep building, no matter if it looks pretty or not. I think we played good as a team, we shared the ball and came out with a good victory. I think our defense carried us tonight. I think we played well as a team, shared the ball. The defense carried us.” CSKA allowed just 19 points combined by Olympiacos in the second and third quarter to enter the final period up 56 – 38.
After taking a 20 – 21 lead early in the second period, Olympiacos fell apart, failing to make even easy shots close to the basket and being unable to catch up with its opponents once they stepped their foot on the gas. Hassan Martin and Giorgos Printezis had 10 points apiece, with the latter scoring all of his points in the last four minutes and after CSKA went up 70 – 46.
For CSKA, Tornike Shengelia dropped 10 points.
A defensive effort to be proud of
CSKA Moscow coach Dimitris Itoudis gave credit to his guys for the intensity they pulled on the court to shut down Olympiacos.
“I have to congratulate my players; they were really focused,” Itoudis said. “We came out really strong. For the first five minutes they scored 17 points, and we drastically changed our energy and our mindset on the defensive end. From that point on, they scored 12 in the next 15 minutes, and 9 in the third quarter, which makes it 21 points in 25 minutes. I think our defense today was the key.”
Photo: EuroLeague Baskeball