By Alex Madrid/ info@eurohoops.net
BELGRADE – – Real Madrid advanced to the EuroLeague Final for the first time since their title run in 2015 after defeating CSKA Moscow 92 – 83 in the second semifinal game.
Under the gaze of Phoenix Suns Vice President James Jones, potential No. 1 pick in the 2018 Draft Luka Doncic scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 30 minutes ahead of the first EuroLeague title match of his career.
“It’s amazing. It was really hard to get here. I think this is the best seasons in history. Any team could beat you. I think it was a difficult season because of all the injuries we have. But we have a full team. And everybody has the talent to play the game. We stick together. Always,” Doncic said in his post-game flash interview.
Sergio Llull delivered the best performance since his return from a torn ACL injury with 16 points plus five assists in 22 minutes while Gustavo Ayon had a key performance with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
It was also the pair of Llull and Ayon that contributed perhaps their team’s most crucial baskets in the game. When CSKA came back from a 12-point deficit (73 – 62) to make it a one-possession match, 76 – 73 thanks to a brilliant Kyle Hines (16 points, nine rebounds) and Will Clyburn (16 points, seven rebounds), Llull hit one of his classic “mandarinas” 3-pointer and Ayon added four points.
Combined with a pair of free throws by Doncic, Real got a double-digit lead, 85 – 75. Despite Nando De Colo’s efforts (20 points) with two triples in a row, coach Pablo Laso’s players retained their advantage.
CSKA, the 2016 champions and standings leader in the regular season, was eliminated in the semifinal for the second year in a row.
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