Real Madrid downs Zalgiris, gets first win

In a battle of Turkish Airlines Euroleague classics, Real Madrid defeated Zalgiris Kaunas 80-71 in the Spanish capital to get its first win in Group A. Felipe Reyes paced the winners with 11 points. Gustavo Ayon added 10 for Madrid. James Anderson led Zalgiris with 19 points while Arturas Milaknis added 13. Paulius Jankunas and Anderson shined early to give Zalgiris an 8-13 margin. Madrid improved its defense and a three-point play by Reyes gave the hosts a 18-14 lead early in the second quarter. Zalgiris improved its ball circulation through an outstanding Lukas Lekavicius, who got help from Anderson and Robertas Javtokas to give Zalgiris a 32-35 margin at halftime. Madrid improved its offense after the break, as Ioannis Bourousis and Rudy Fernandez led an 11-0 run that gave the hosts a 45-39 margin. Madrid extended its margin to 56-49 at the end of the third quarter but Milaknis and Anderson kept Zalgiris as close as 66-61 with over 4 minutes left. Andres Nocioni, Jaycee Carroll and reigning Euroleague MVP Sergio Rodriguez shined in crunch time to lead Madrid to its first Euroleague win of the season.