Euroleague Playoffs roundup

Euroleague PlayoffsThe Euroleague Playoffs have gathered the best teams on the continent as all look to find a path to the coveted Final Four weekend, this year held at Milan´s Mediolanum Forum.

The first week of action has been completed and the clubs have already played the first two games of their best of five game series´. As expected, the Basketball has been of the very highest quality as some of the best players in Europe show what they can do on the big stage.

Playoff A: Barcelona vs. Galatasaray

Game 1
Galatasaray´s Game 1 push was scuppered by an injury to key man and driving attacking force Carlos Arroyo. The Puerto Rican point guard was dictating play for the Turkish club in the first half of Game 1, powering the visitors to a 5-14 lead in the first quarter. However, an injury to the playmaker just before halftime all but ended Gala´s game and opened the door for Barcelona. The Spanish club dominated the second half with strong scoring from beyond the arc to secure a comfortable 88-61 win.
Full Game Report

Game 2
Arroyo´s absence was felt once more in Game 2 of the Euroleague Playoffs between Barcelona and Galatasaray. Without its talisman the Turkish club crumbled and Barcelona strolled to an easy 84-63 to put themselves within one game of reaching the Final Four. The Spanish club was powered off the bench by Brad Oleson and Alex Abrines, who combined to score 27 points with 100% accuracy. The best of five series now heads to Turkey for two games where Galatasaray will hope its strong support will make home court advantage count.

Playoff B: Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos

Game 1
These two teams contested the Euroleague Final last season. Of course, Olympiacos came out on top on that occasion to win its second consecutive title. So, Madrid´s triumph in Game 1 by a score of 88-71 could be seen as payback of sorts. Los Blancos built success in this game on a strong opening as the team powered to a lead of 27-12 and never looked back. Rudy Fernandez was pivotal for the winning effort and bagged 20 points throughout the game.

Game 2
Fernandez was once again a key to success for Madrid as the Spanish giant claimed Game 2 by 82 points to 77. Madrid controlled proceedings and Olympiacos could never quite get in touch despite improving in the second half. Madrid´s Ioannis Bourousis haunted his former team Olympiacos by picking up a 19 points and 10 rebounds double-double against the Greek powerhouse.
Full Game Report

Playoff C: CSKA Moscow vs. Panathinaikos

Game 1
CSKA laid a marker down by defeating Greek juggernaut Panathinaikos Athens 77-74, but the Russian club had to go through a grueling game to get the win. CSKA led for much of the game, taking the lead after 6-6 and going from there. However, Panathinaikos would not go away and the Greeks kept chipping away until the players held a 62-67 lead in Q3. The comeback effort had its effect on the visitors as Moscow had more legs down the stretch, especially when the game entered overtime and CSKA held on for the win.

Game 2
Game 2 was a lot more clear-cut between CSKA and Panathinaikos as the hosts stormed to a confident 77-51 victory. The victory sent a message to the other heavyweights of the Euroleague Playoffs and indeed the 27 point margin was the worst defeat ever inflicted on the Greeks in the Playoffs. CSKA built on a 16-0 run that went through the end of the first frame and the start of the second to dictate the remainder of the game. Sonny Weems, who grabbed the game winning effort in Game 1, was the top scorer with 23 points.

Playoff D: EA7 Milan vs. Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv

Game 1
Milan became the only club playing at home to lose a game when the Italian team lost 99-101 in a game that will enter Euroleague Playoff folklore. In a classic encounter, the Israeli giant was trailing Milan by 12 points with less than 2 minutes on the clock. Tel-Aviv mounted one of the best comebacks in recent memory as Tyrese Rice and Ricky Hickman combined and scored 13 consecutive points to force overtime. In overtime the visitors had the legs and picked up an important win away from home.
Full Game Report

Game 2
EA7 Milan would have rued letting a comfortable lead slip in the fourth stanza of Game 1, but in Game 2 the hosts made amends by winning 91-77. Milan started strongly with a 12-0 run sending the team in at the first break with a 25-15 lead. Curtis Jerrells scored a game high 17 points as the Italian club continued to maintain a strong lead throughout. With minutes remaining, there was no slip like in Game 1 as the home team tied the series at 1-1.

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