EuroLeague: Madrid clinch home-court advantage, Efes snap Olympiacos' streak / News - Basketnews.com

Five games tipped off Round 30 of EuroLeague regular season action. Anadolu Efes forced Olympiacos to their first loss after 5 straight wins, Zalgiris dismantled Virtus, while Maccabi, Real Madrid and Partizan survived stiff competition.

Credit: Regina Hoffmann/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Regina Hoffmann/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

With five games scheduled this Tuesday evening, EuroLeaugue's Round 30 sees the competition reach a crucial turn. Another double-week tips off, headlined by Olympiacos' trip to Istanbul and the duel featuring Partizan and Baskonia.

In the opening game, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (13-17) downed Olympiacos Piraeus (18-12) 85-72. The Turkish side snapped the Reds' 6-game winning streak, whilst keeping their play-in chances alive and the Greek side winless in Istanbul since 2017. The winners, who had five players in double digits, went 14-27 from distance and shot 61% on 2-pointers.

Olympiacos' coach Giorgos Bartzokas was ejected by referee Alberto Baena with 4,6'' remaining on the game clock as the two teams were shaking hands.

Next, Zalgiris Kaunas (12-18) held off Virtus Segafredo Bologna (17-13) 96-81, as the two sides are trying to revive their play-in and top 4 chances, respectively. The Lithuanian champions ended their 3-game losing streak, while Virtus have lost four of their last five. Edmond Sumner had 16 points, 3 rebounds and as many assists for the winning side. Virtus finished the game with assistant coach Lasso Tuovi, as head coach Luca Banchi got ejected in the fourth quarter.

Zalgiris have also completed a season sweep after winning in Bologna 82-79 on opening night.

In Berlin, league leaders Real Madrid (24-6) clinched homecourt advantage for the playoffs against rock-bottom ALBA (5-25), which only had pride at stake. The reigning champs won 86-79 and stayed on the right track after ending a three-game losing streak by winning at Virtus last week and needed Mario Hezonja's 22 points and 8 rebounds to steer off danger against a highly competitive home side.

In Belgrade, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (17-13) strengthened its playoff push by overcoming LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (7-13) 98-90, racking up their fouth straight win to push closer to the top six. Wade Baldwin put up a monster performance with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for a career-best PIR of 46.

In the same city, Partizan Mozzart Bet (14-16) stayed in playoff contention with a narrow 87-83 win over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16-14), which is still in the hunt for a top-six finish. Big men Frank Kaminsky and Bruno Caboclo combined for 38 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, as Partizan celebrated its 11th win in 14 home games. On the other hand, the Spanish team has won only one of its last seven on the road.

Similarly, Partizan has suffered on the road recently to slip down the standings, but has tasted victory in four of its last five games in Belgrade and knows a victory of 2 points or more would grant it the head-to-head advantage over Baskonia after an 84-83 win for the Spanish team in Vitoria.

All EuroLeague matches are broadcast on EuroLeague TV.

Completed matches:

Anadolu Efes Istanbul 85:72Olympiacos Piraeus

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Zalgiris Kaunas 96:81 Virtus Segafredo Bologna

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ALBA Berlin 79:86 Real Madrid

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Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 98:90 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

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Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 87:83 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

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