Teodosic leads CSKA Moscow past KK Crvena Zvezda in Euroleague Playoffs Game 1

Even with Euroleague's top scorer this season held to single digits for the first time, CSKA Moscow ruined visiting Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade's playoff debut by winning 84-74 in Game 1 of their best-of-five series on Tuesday. Game 2 at returns to Megasport Arena on Thursday. As soon as popped off the bench, Milos Teodosic was all over the place, fueling a 15-3 first-quarter run that put CSKA up for good. Teodosic had 15 points before halftime, but Stefan Jovic and Quincy Miller helped the visitors stay within 44-40 at that point. After the break, Kyle Hines helped get the margin into double figures as CSKA assumed control. Zvezda did not let CSKA run away, and got as close again as 73-67 midway through the fourth quarter, but Teodosic and Nando De Colo fed Hines and Nikita Kurbanov for baskets that sealed the deal. Teodosic finished with 23 points, his best total in a playoff game, by shooting 4-for-5 on two-pointers, the same from long-range. He also collected 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Hines added 21 points, his Euroleague career high. Nikita Kurbanov scored 13 more for CSKA while Euroleague leading scorer De Colo dished 10 assists to go his 7 points. Jovic and Miller had 14 apiece for Zvezda. Tarence Kinsey added 11 but the visitors were forced into 19 turnovers and could make just 11 assists against CSKA's defense.