By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Khimki Moscow Region got the big win on the road after Day 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Real Madrid lost its undefeated record after surrendering 86-80. The Russians tied “Los Blancos”‘ record with 4 victories and just one loss.
Luka Doncic had the chance for a game-winner with a shot beyond the arc but he missed and Khimki escaped with the win.
Both teams were ‘hot’ in the first quarter that finished 23-25 with Alexey Shved leading the guests. Khimki started the second period off positive with an early 8-0 run and achieved double-digits leads (40 – 28, 15′).
With Doncic back in the game, Real Madrid changed its face. The Whites responded with a 9-0 run and tight the game before the half. The hosts would begin the second period with a 6 points deficit (45 – 39).
The third quarter started with both teams exchanging runs. A spectacular Anthony Gill helped Khimki to maintain the lead with ten minutes left.
The visitors locked their rim in the last quarter with a great defensive performance but with one minute remaining Real Madrid was still close (80 – 77). After a couple of free throws made by Gill, Jaycee Carroll made it a two-point game, however, Doncic couldn’t save the day.
The key: Khimki’s second-half defense over Doncic. The Slovenian struggled to find comfortable shots despite leading the home team in PIR (18).
The star: Shved paced the winners in Madrid. The Russian combo guard finished with 20 points and 5 assists. James Anderson also contributed with 16 (7 of them in the decisive quarter).
Felipe Reyes regained his title as rebounding leader in EuroLeague after he collecting his 1,604th rebound of his career.