Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: Anadolu Efes Istanbul makes Play-Offs
There are three rounds of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season left, but there is only one position remaining for the Play-Offs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul because the seventh club to secure its position in the close season action with a win over Fenerbahce Istanbul.
Panathinaikos took a step closer to Fenerbahce with a solid road success over Baskonia Vitoria. Also winning on the road was Zalgiris Kaunas, defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv to keep its Play-Offs hopes alive. Finally, Brose Bamberg downed Milan in style in Italy.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Fenerbahce Istanbul, 80-77
A high stakes Istanbul derby took place as both Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce had something to play for. In terms of the hosts, it was an all-important place in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. As Fenerbahce, the club is still pushing to secure home advantage in the next round. At the end of the game, Anadolu Efes celebrated qualification to the next round. The winners are now 7 from 8 (16-12 record) and are in excellent form heading to the close season. Fenerbahce remains injury ravaged in 4th place (17-11).
Baskonia Vitoria vs. Panathinaikos Athens, 63-72
Panathinaikos came out victorious on the road in a contest between two qualified clubs. However, both teams are hunting home advantage next round. Baskonia could have moved to fourth above Fenerbahce with a win, but instead stays fifth on 16-12. Panathinaikos now ties with Fenerbahce with a 17-11 record. Baskonia has been excellent in offence, so just six points in the first act here made for an inexplicable ten minutes of Basketball. From there the hosts never recovered and Panathinaikos led throughout for the win.
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EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Brose Bamberg, 76-84
Milan welcomed Bamberg to Italy in a clash between two teams already eliminated. However, plenty of pride is at stake over the next two weeks, especially for Milan. The Serie A champs are in a fight to avoid finishing last. This loss puts the club bottom with a 7-21 record, although Unics Kazan can slip back to last with a loss tomorrow. Milan is the best scorer in the bottom half with an 86.9 per game average. However, the defence has been shocking this season and that was on display here. Bamberg improved its record at 10-18 and is now just playing for position.
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv vs. Zalgiris Kaunas, 77-93
Maccabi Tel Aviv is one of two EuroLeauge giants (along with Barcelona) and former champs to miss out on the Play-Offs. However, the club had the chance to kill Zalgiris’ hopes of qualification. The Lithuanian champs need to win all their games and home Crvena Zvezda Belgrade and Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul slip up. The club got step one of the job done with a cruising road success over Tel Aviv. However, Crvena Zvezda remains in pole position to claim the eighth Play-Offs berth.