Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: CSKA and Fenerbahce thrive

CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahce Istanbul are just one game away from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four after both clubs moved 2-0 ahead in their respective series. In the case of Fenerbahce, it is giant step towards the showpiece as the club defeated Panathinaikos. For reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champs CSKA, the club’s win over Baskonia Vitoria is a case of required job well done.

CSKA Moscow vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 84-82

CSKA Moscow picked up its second consecutive home win over Baskonia to move 2-0 ahead in its series. Winning the home ties was a minimum requirement and the Russians are now just a big win in Spain away from the Final Four. However, Baskonia has shown enough in Moscow to suggest this series is far from over.

This was close throughout, but CSKA Moscow just had the offensive edge when it counted. The hosts led 40-35 through the long break and used a huge 29 points in the third act to extend to 69-58 through thirty minutes. However, Baskonia came roaring back in a high octane fourth quarter. With the scoreboard locked 82-82 with less than 2 seconds to play, Kyle Hines used his experience to draw a foul, before stepping up for the game-winning buckets from the charity strip.

Milos Teodosic drained 16 points, while Nando De Colo joined Hines on 10 points.

Rodrigue Beaubois will be important for Vitoria in Spain, he topped the scoring here with 21 points.

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Panathinaikos Athens vs. Fenerbahce Istanbul, 75-80

Fenerbahce has a huge opportunity to reach the Final Four, which is in Istanbul this season. The 2016 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague runner-up took a 2-0 series lead and has claimed the opening victories on away floor. The Istanbul giant now has home advantage and is hot favourite to wrap the series in Game 3. However, don’t bet against Panathinaikos just yet, The Greens know how to turn it on under pressure.

The visitors simply managed to control the play for extended periods. It was never a demolition job, but Fenerbahce looked confident. Panathinaikos failed to win a single quarter, although the hosts certainly had their chances to win this contest.

Bogdan Bogdanovic is in fine form, he dropped a game-high 25 points in the win, while also adding 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Ekpe Udoh managed 22 points and 9 boards, followed by Bobby Dixon added 14 points from the bench.

Mike James plundered 22 points in the losing effort, while Chris Singleton added 14 points and Ioannis Bourousis scored 13 points.