Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid complete Final Four

It was a huge evening in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on Friday as CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid progressed to the Final Four in Belgrade. CSKA took out Khimki at the death to edge its win and take a 3-1 series. Real Madrid also claimed a 3-1 series success after dominating Panathinaikos for long spells of their home encounter. The two clubs now join Zalgiris and Fenerbahce who both qualified yesterday, meaning all the Final Four teams are locked.

Khimki Moscow Region 88-89 CSKA Moscow (1-3)

CSKA Moscow passed Khimki Moscow Region in a thrilling Turkish Airlines EuroLeague contest. Needing the win to progress, but without home advantage, CSKA clinched a Final Four berth in the most dramatic fashion. With just 5.7 second on the clock, Cory Higgins drained from the lane to give CSKA a one-point win and a place in the Belgrade showpiece. The win sent the former champs to the Final Four for the seventh consecutive season. Higgins was the hero at the end, but he had contributed all night and topped CSKA with 20 points. Alexey Shved continued his push for top-scorer and put his name down for one of the best offensive EuroLeague seasons of all-time. He scored a career high 36 points for the losing effort, also a playoffs record.

Real Madrid 89-82 Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens (3-1)

Real Madrid won its third consecutive game against Panathinaikos to secure a series win and make the Final Four. After dropping the first game Madrid has looked good and that second game success in Athens was so important. At home, Los Blancos is formidable and was able to wrap the series in front of its own fans. Serio Llull is coming back from injury and already showing how important he could be to Madrid in Belgrade. He left the bench in the second quarter and sparked a 30 point splurge that allowed the hosts to move ahead for good. Indeed, Los Blancos was up by 20 points in the third act and just had to weather the inevitable Panathinaikos rally in the fourth to secure the success. NBA Draft-bound Doncic topped the success with 17 points, while Llull produced 11 points and 7 assists.