Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: CSKA and Fenerbahce open Play-Offs with wins
The exciting marathon of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season is a memory and the remaining eight clubs are now locked in knockout Basketball. The opening game of the Play-Offs is happening this Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday the finalists from 2016 opened their paths to the Final Four, but with best-of-five series’ to get through, there is still plenty of hoops left to play. As it stands, CSKA Moscow took a lead by outlasting Baskonia in a high scoring encounter, while Fenerbahce took early charge of its run with a win over Panathinaikos Athens.
To say that the first year of the changed Regular Season format has been a success is an understatement. It exceeded expectations. However, this is the stage we all look forward to as the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season comes down to fine margins and drama.
CSKA Moscow vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 98-90
Reigning champ CSKA Moscow was forced to score heavy at home to see off a Baskonia team that is not shy of the bucket. Indeed, the Spanish team has shown this season it can score big. CSKA was up to the challenge and produced when it mattered. The hosts took a 26-19 lead after 10 minutes, before Vitoria closed it to 44-40 at the long break. After thirty minutes, CSKA had extended with an excellent 28-point haul in the third act. Leading 72-62 into the fourth, the Russian giant closed the game out to win.
The teams will play again in Moscow later this week before the series moves to Spain. Milos Teodosic paced the win with 22 points, while current Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP, Nando De Colo, drained 18 points.
Shane Larkin netted 17 points in the losing effort, followed by Rodrigue Beaubois and Adam Hanga with 13 points apiece.
Panathinaikos Athens vs. Fenerbahce Istanbul, 58-71
On paper, Fenerbahce faced a tough ask. The Turkish team, still in the hunt of its first EuroLeague trophy, faced former multiple champion Panathinaikos in the Greek capital. Furthermore, Panathinaikos is known to turn it on in big games. However, this is now firmly a Fenerbahce that mixes it with the big boys of Europe. The team looked good in taking a 0-1 series lead.
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This was a huge win as it gives the Turkish champs and 2016 EuroLeague runners-up a lead away from home. In other words, Fener could lose the next game and win its two home contests to win the series. Of course, the club will be hoping to take another giant step in Athens in game 2.
After a close 15-16 losing first quarter, Panathinaikos made a statement with a 27-12 charge in the second act. Through halftime, Fenerbahce looked down and out as the scoreboard read 42-28 to The Greens. However, the momentum swung in the second half. A combination of good defence and a home team collapse allowed the guests to stop Panathinaikos at 8 points in Q3 and Q4. A solid offensive display allowed the Turkish club to take the win.
Leading scorer Bogdan Bogdanovic led Fenerbahce with a game-high 23 points, while Nikola Kalinic claimed 16 points.
K.C. River plundered 16 points for the Greek giant, with Mike James scoring 14 points.