CSKA Moscow vs Anadolu Efes in the EuroLeague Championship Game
CSKA Moscow and Anadolu Efes triumphed in Friday’s semi-finals (17/05) and will clash in the EuroLeague Championship Game on Sunday (19/05).
CSKA Moscow survived Real Madrid in a dramatic game (95-90) and advanced to the Championship Game.
In a late thriller in Vitoria, the match was decided in the final minute. Nando De Colo scored five straight points to bring his team close to the win (89-85).
But Rudy Fernandez kept Real alive (89-87) though. Sergio Llull made a crazy three-pointer to make it a one-point game (91-90), with 14 seconds to go.
Cory Higgins made four straight free throws and sealed the deal for the Russians, as Llull missed the game-tying three-pointer.
De Colo (23 points), Sergio Rodriguez (23 points) and Will Clyburn (18 points) combined for 64 points for the winners.
Five players scored in double figures for the losing squad, with Fabien Causeur having a team-high 18 points.
It was a close game in the first quarter, with Real Madrid being in front by four (18-22).
Later, the “Whites” retained their advantage, but Clyburn was there for CSKA. He made the three-pointer and cut the deficit to two for the Muscovites at halftime (43-45).
After that, Real took over. The visitors went on a 7-16 run and earned a double-digit lead (50-61).
However, CSKA turned things around again. The Russians went on a 30-19 run of their own in the fourth quarter and tied the game (80-80).
CSKA stepped up in the remaining minutes and earn the victory. They will now return to the EuroLeague Championship Game for the first time since 2016.
The other game of the night saw the first-ever all-Turkish semi-final, Anadolu Efes crushed rivals Fenerbahce (92-73), reaching its first-ever EuroLeague Championship Game.
Shane Larkin (30 points, 9/14 shooting, PIR of 43) and Vasilije Micic (25 points, 10/15 shooting, PIR of 27) were unstoppable. They combined for 55 points for the winners.
On the other hand, Jan Vesely had a team-high 14 points for the losing squad. Erick Green added 13.
After a balanced first quarter (20-19), Anadolu Efes took control of the situation (22-29). A four-point play by James Anderson helped the visitors close the first half in front by five (40-45).
After that, Efes never looked back. Playing very well on both ends, they outscored Fenerbahce 17-23 in the third quarter. Consequently, they earned a double-digit lead after 30 minutes in the game (57-73).
Fenerbahce played badly on both ends and could not turn things around (61-77). Eventually, Anadolu Efes comfortably sealed the deal and qualified for the EuroLeague Championship Game (73-92).