Dominant Milutinov and Shved's career-high power CSKA over ALBA / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Mikhail Serbin/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Mikhail Serbin/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

CSKA Moscow (14-9) welcomed ALBA Berlin (7-16) in the Russian capital.

Player of the Game EFF 36 Nikola Milutinov Points 21 Accuracy 7-10 Rebounds 11 Assists 0

The Army club managed to recover after OT loss on Wednesday, beating ALBA 91-72 (22-15, 28-22, 19-19, 22-16) in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

CSKA closed the first half on a high note, arranging a 13-4 run and gaining a 13-point lead (50-37), going into the break. Nikola Milutinov, Marius Grigonis, and Joel Bolomboy contributed to the late push.

After an even third quarter (69-56), CSKA decided the game's outcome in the mid-fourth period thanks to Alexey Shved and Nikola Milutinov's baskets (82-67). ALBA could not restore the intrigue.

Nikola Milutinov posted a double-double with 21 points (7/10 2PT, 7/8 FT), 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 7 drawn fouls, and 35 PIR.

"[The connection with Alexey Shved] was amazing today. I think we really played well together. Not only us but the whole team played a really good game. Every player who came to the court gave something to the team. And this is why we won the way we won tonight," said Milutinov post-game.

Alexey Shved also had a double-double, scoring 10 points (4/10 2PT, 0/6 3PT, 2/2 FT), grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing career-high 13 assists, making 2 steals, and collecting 17 PIR. Moreover, the Russian star became the 10th player in EuroLeague history to reach 3,000 career points.

Luke Sikma led the route for the losing side, accumulating 15 points (5/8 2PT, 5/6 FT), 9 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 1 block, 9 drawn fouls, and 25 PIR.

"We were playing good basketball until the last quarter when we were not as strong physically as them. They played with more energy, were stronger. The last quarter was the difference," spoke Israel Gonzalez.

Marcus Eriksson, Ben Lammers, and Christ Koumadje were sidelined for ALBA, while Tornike Shengelia, Johannes Voigtmann, and CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis did not participate in the match. Andreas Pistiolis served as a bench boss in this duel.

CSKA: Nikola Milutinov 21 (11 REB), Iffe Lundberg 11, Ivan Ukhov 11, Alexey Shved 10 (13 AST), Will Clyburn 8, Marius Grigonis 8.

ALBA: Luke Sikma 15 (9 REB, 4 TO), Maodo Lo 10 (6 AST), Yovel Zoosman 8 (4 REB), Johannes Thiemann 8, Tim Schneider 8.

Highlights

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