By Stefan Djordjevic / sdjordjevic@eurohoops.net
Khimki Moscow Region’s struggles in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague continue as TD Systems Baskonia handed them their 16th straight loss in the competition with 89-67 on the scoreboards in Round 25.
Six players scored in double-digits for Baskonia with Youssoupha Fall leading the way. The big man scored 14 points while also grabbing nine rebounds and blocking the opponents three times.
Fall’s, and Baskonia’s overall, presence in the paint was invaluable and that was the main difference in the clash. They grabbed a total of 48 rebounds (35 on the defensive end) compared to 24 by Khimki.
Where do you think you’re going?! ?❌#7DAYSMagicMoment pic.twitter.com/fWQl5C5llY
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) February 18, 2021
The 26-year-old Senegalese-French center knew the importance of getting this win: “It was a must-win for us for the playoffs. I think what’s most important tonight is the win, no matter how we played. And we took the win. That’s it. I think we have to keep working and we’ll be better.”
Zoran Dragic, Rokas Giedraitis, and Luca Vildoza added 13 points each. On the other side, Alexey Shved put up 16 points and ten assists while Jordan mickey helped with 13 points.
Khimki was holding up during the first half despite trailing constantly but still ended up being down by a ten-point margin at the break (47-37). Baskonia kept the distance throughout the third quarter and then completely broke the Russians’ resistance in the final ten minutes, increasing the lead until the very end.
“I think we played better defense in the second half, but especially we had a clear [idea] how we have to play offense, to put the ball inside when we have the advantage. This is the reason we won the game easily. Tonight, we played like a team looking for the best option,” coach Dusko Ivanovic said.