CSKA vs. Besiktas JK Istanbul: 87-72 (+15)
Ettore Messina, CSKA head coach:
As we expected it was not easy to play this game. We tried to find our defensive balance for 20 minutes. The opponents score more than 50% of their shots in the first half and they were up by 5 which tells about bad quality of our defense. In the second half we found our defense and the opponents scored just 10 and 11 points in the third and fourth quarters. I have no complains about our offense: we had 23 assists, 11 by Teo. This not only means that Teo is a great playmaker but that all the team moves well, finding space and open shots. We miss two power forwards and I had to use Khryapa for 29 minutes tonight. It is unacceptable. We will try to find ‘emergency’ solutions and I promise I will let Victor rest more because he played all summer for the National Team.
Erman Kunter, Besiktas head coach:
Statistically we played not bad. With the exception of one column – turnovers. We had 18 turnovers, 9 of them in the third quarter. I admit that CSKA put more defensive pressure on us in the second half but sometimes we just gave the ball away for nothing. And on this level you should not do as many unforced mistakes.
