By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
A lay-up by Alexey Shved and team defense against Fabien Causeur in the last possession of the game gave Khimki the 78-77 win over Real Madrid. The Spaniards had the chance for the last shot, but Jordan Mickey’s defense and Errick McCollum who ultimately stole the ball from Causeur sealed the deal for the Russian side.
After 17 straight EuroLeague defeats Khimki got the “W” behind 22 points by Shved, while McCollum and Mickey were the only import players available for the winners. McCollum also scored 22 points and Mickey added 19.
Mickey who played for Real Madrid last season was happy with the result: “It’s always special to beat your old team. I love those guys over there. They play a great game, they play hard. I’m just happy with got a W. It’s been a tough year for us but we stayed focused and confident. And it showed tonight. It came down to us playing defense, rebounding. That’s been a struggle for us this year. But tonight, everybody rebounded and played good defense and it showed on the court and we were able to get the win.”
Khimki led by seven at halftime (45-38), however, Real Madrid tied the score at 62 at the end of the third quarter and everything was decided in the closing seconds.
Khimki’s interim coach Andrei Maltsev who finally got his first win of the season admitted: “It was a very tough game, really close. It was decided on the last shot. It was very important for us that we played together. We played defense and fought for the rebounds. In the first half, we controlled the tempo. In the end, we won and we are happy. It’s my first win in the EuroLeague.”
Madrid was also missing key members, but the absences of Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez – and also the long-term injury of Anthony Randolph – can’t be compared with the shorthanded roster of Khimki. Jaycee Carroll with 15 points was the top scorer of the losing side.
It was a dog fight, with Khimki losing badly the rebounding battle (43 for Real Madrid against 30) but also presenting their best defensive effort of the season, keeping Madrid to 45% from the field. It’s not very flashy, but it was enough for the third win of Khimki in the season in 26 games. Madrid with a 16-11 record dropped to the seventh position of the standings.