Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: advantage Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes
While CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahce Istanbul reached the Final Four of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague yesterday, there is still plenty of Play-Offs action left. That’s because the series between Real Madrid vs. Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul and Olympiacos vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
Game 3 of this respective series was held on Wednesday in Istanbul, the location of this season’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Two clubs now hold an advantage heading into Game 4, which will be held on Friday.
Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul vs. Real Madrid, 81-88
Real Madrid took control of the Play-Offs series against Darussafaka with a road win over the Turkish club. The Spanish champs ensured at a minimum the series will head back to Spain for a deciding Game 5. Before that, Los Blancos has the chance to settle the Final Four berth in Game 4.
The first half made a huge difference for the visitors in this contest. Real Madrid raced from the tip off and drained 26 points for a nine-point lead. In the second frame, the guests continued to keep Darussafaka at arm’s length and extended to 33-46 through the long break. For there, the hosts were always playing catch up. Darussafaka won both the third and fourth acts, but Madrid kept consistent enough in offence to see the victory out.
Jaycee Carroll stepped up for Madrid with 21 points, while Gustavo Ayon plundered 18 points. Luka Doncic hit 13 points, followed by Anthony Randolph and Sergio Llull with 12 points apiece.
Ante Zizic topped Darussafaka with 20 points, with Scottie Wilbekin adding 18 points and Brad Wanamaker 17 points and 9 assists.
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Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Olympiacos Piraeus, 64-60
In a low scoring affair, Anadolu Efes edged Olympiacos and took a huge step towards reaching the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. The Turkish giant managed to snatch a win in Piraeus in Game 2 and put the advantage back on home court in Istanbul. With this victory, the club needs to win its next home game to progress. Never discount Olympiacos, however, and this game was close enough to suggest the Greek heavyweight remains a potent threat.
Hardly a classic, the game was decided by a consistent middle period of the contest. During the second and third quarters, Anadolu Efes scored 19 and 18 points respectively and stopped Olympiacos at 10 points in both frames. Thanks to that run, the hosts lead 51-37 through thirty minutes. The visitors rallied in the fourth act, but the home team ultimately held on for the win.
Bryant Dunston secured 16 points to pace the win, while Thomas Huertal scored 13 points and Derrick Brown netted 12 points.
Vassilis Spanoulis was the only Olympiacos player to drain double digits, he hit 15 points.