Panathinaikos and Efes complete Euroleague Play-offs
Panathinaikos and Anadolu Efes celebrated Euroleague success. The door has closed on the Play-offs as the final week of the Euroleague Top 16 started on Thursday. There were key and deciding battles around Europe, and tomorrow’s three clashes are merely formalities after this evening solved the Play-off picture.
There were just two places up for grabs, the fourth qualification spots in both Group E and Group F. In Group E Panathinaikos snatched the final spot, the Greek giant coming through despite a road loss against Crvena Zvezda. ALBA Berlin will be left to rue a missed opportunity as the German team missed out on qualification after losing at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
There were three contests in Group F, and they completed the picture in the group ahead of tomorrow’s clashes. Anadolu Efes and Laboral Kutxa Vitoria were racing for the final place in the next round, with Efes taking the position even though both teams lost. Anadolu Efes was taken out in a typically ferocious Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce, while Laboral Kutxa slipped to Spanish rival Unicaja Malaga. CSKA Moscow ensured first place in the group with a road win over EA7 Milan in Italy.
Group E
Crvena Zvezda Belgrade vs. Panathinaikos, 69-68
Panathinaikos (7-7) qualified for the Play-offs of the Euroleague, the Greek team booking a date with CSKA Moscow in the next round. The Greek giant was leading and doing what it needed to do through thirty minutes of this game, but at the final split heard that qualification was guaranteed regardless. ALBA Berlin had lost at home and the Greens went through.
The 44-45 on point scoreline from the end of the third frame was reversed in the final act as Crvena Zvezda (4-10) ended its Euroleague campaign with a win. It is also fitting that Boban Marjanovic drained the winning basket in front of the Belgrade crowd. He has been in scintillating form, and it is a shame he will not grace the competition further this season.
Marjanovic doubled up again with 12 points and 16 rebounds, he is the only player in the Euroleague with double-figure averages in both scoring and rebounding. He was followed by Nikola Kalinic with 14 points, while Jaka Blazic, Marcus Williams, and Luka Mitrovic all notched 11 points.
Esteban Batista offered 15 points for Panathinaikos.
ALBA Berlin vs. Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, 64-73
Reigning Euroleague champions Maccabi Tel Aviv (9-5) took out ALBA Berlin (7-7) on the road in the German capital, and in doing so eliminated the Berlin club from the competition. ALBA needed a win in front of its home fans for any chance to make the Play-offs, but the Germans could not do it and fell at the last hurdle after a spirited Top 16 run.
While the score was tight throughout, the Tel Aviv giant actually held the lead for the entire 40 minutes, opening the scoring and never looking back. The visitors used the big game experience to see out the game, even contending with a mini ALBA Berlin rally in the second half.
Devin Smith was red hot for the winners with 28 points and 7 rebounds, with Brian Randle contributing with 13 points.
ALBA Berlin struggled at the bucket, with three players scoring 10 points. They were Alex Renfroe, Jamel Mclean, and Leon Radosevic.
Group F
Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 83-72
One of the hottest games in global basketball brought the usual spectacle and fan passion as the two top clubs in Turkish hoops clashed in the Istanbul Derby. On this occasion, Fenerbahce continued its imposing Euroleague form by outgunning Anadolu Efes. The visitors were desperate for a win too, looking over a shoulder at Laboral Kutxa Vitoria.
As it was, Anadolu Efes progressed because Laboral Kutxa also slipped up, the Turkish club qualifying thanks to a superior head to head. As for this game, Fenerbahce put on a big 23-12 winning opening frame and looked in control from there on. The hosts lost the middle quarters but then eased down the stretch with a commanding fourth act.
Andrew Goudelock’s Top 16 form has been sporadic, but last season’s Eurocup player of the year was having an on day. He poured in 24 points for Fenerbahce, followed by Bogdan Bogdanovic with 17 points.
Unicaja Malaga vs. Laboral Kutxa Vitoria, 93-84
Unicaja Malaga has had a poor Top 16 phase, but the eliminated Spanish club went out on a high by beating compatriot Laboral Kutxa. The victory will be sweeter as it also meant the Vitoria outfit will miss out on a berth in the Play-offs, with Anadolu Efes progressing instead.
Despite needing a win, Laboral Kutxa never looked like taking this game as Unicaja led from the start. The hosts carved a 43-36 lead by the long break and extended to 70-59 through thirty minutes. The visitors attempted to address that double-digit gap in the fourth quarter, but Unicaja had too many points on the board.
Ryan Toolson hit 17 points in the win, while Jayson Granger added 15 points and Caleb Green 11 points.
Fabian Causer topped the game with 21 points in the losing effort, with Fernando San Emeterio scoring 16 points and Darius Adams 12 points.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. CSKA Moscow, 79-88
CSKA Moscow has been patchy of late after a blistering start to the Euroleague this season. However, the Russian giant remains one of the competition favorites after securing first place in Group F with an easy road victory over Milan.
The visitors went big in the first half, winning the opening quarter 15-23 and the second stanza 19-32 to lead 34-55 at the midway buzzer. Milan was on the end of a beating, but credit to the hosts for making the score respectable by winning the third and fourth quarters. Despite Milan’s momentum in the second half, CSKA eased through the game to victory.
Sasha Kaun logged 19 points and 8 boards for CSKA. Andrei Kirilenko and Andrey Vorontsevich grabbed 14 points apiece.
Samardo Samuels was in touch for Milan with 18 points, while Alessandro Gentile claimed 15 points and Marshon Brooks with 13 points.