CSKA gain a battle, but not yet a war
Published 24 March, 2009, 22:35
It’s been first blood to CSKA Moscow in their best-of-three Euroleague quarter-final series against underdogs Partizan. The reigning champions saw off the Belgrade side on a 56-47 score line.
The army men lived up to their favourites tag in the first period by securing a 10-point lead by the end of the period.
But the Serb outfit battled gamely throughout, leaving CSKA to rely on the top scoring Slovenian, Erazem Lorbek, for pulling out the big shots when required.
Lorbek had 16 points at the shake-up.
So the army men remain on track for a third title in four years on the continent, but they now need to beat Partizan on the ride.
One of the favorites to win it all this season, Olympiakos, are off to a winning start in their quarter-final series as well. Former CSKA guard and Euroleague MVP Theo Papaloukas tied a playoff record and set a career-high with 13 assists coming off the bench to spark the Reds.
Elsewhere, the other Greek powerhouse, Panathinaikos, outlasted Italian visitors Siena 90-85 in game one of their quarters. Panathinaikos had five players in double figures with Nikola Pekovic leading the way with 21.
Meanwhile, Tau Ceramica was the only team to turn over home court advantage. They beat Barcelona 84-75. Pablo Prigioni grabbed a Euroleague career-high 17 points and season-high 8 assists there.
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