Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: CSKA Moscow qualifies
It was a night of comfortable home wins in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on Thursday as Round 23 got underway. This was a significant night as CSKA Moscow became the first club to reach the play-offs, thanks to a win over Baskonia Vitoria. Champs Fenerbahce took apart Milan in Istanbul, and Olympiacos crushed Valencia. Finally, Unicaja Malaga turned in a hot performance to demolish Maccabi Tel Aviv.
CSKA Moscow vs. Baskonia Vitoria, 93-86
CSKA Moscow became the first team to lock in a play-off berth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season. The Russian giant overcome Baskonia to continue to dominate the top of the standings with an 18-5 record. Baskonia’s loss keeps the club outside the play-off positions with a 10-13 showing. The Spanish club enjoyed a 46-49 advantage through halftime before CSKA used a 47-point haul in the second half to secure the win. Baskonia was unable to keep up its first half scoring in the second half and faded away in the fourth quarter.
Fenerbahce Istanbul vs. Milan, 89-70
Reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce tore apart Milan to maintain its joint-second position, now with a 16-7 record alongside Olympiacos. As for Milan, the Serie A champs slipped to 7-16 and is one position from last place. A 25-13 second quarter allowed Fenerbahce a handy 48-33 lead. The hosts eased as Milan improved in the second half, but Fenerbahce controlled the pace and eased to success down the straight.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Valencia Basket, 80-70
Olympiacos also kept chasing CSKA Moscow and cruised to a win over Spanish champs Valencia in Greece. The win allowed the club to join Fenerbahce on a 16-7 record, while Valencia’s troubles continue with an 8-15 record in the standings. A 22-11 first quarter allowed Olympiacos a good start, but Valencia charged back with 28 second frame points to make it 40-39 through the midway buzzer. However, the hosts took the momentum again in the second half, and made it comfortable at the end.
Unicaja Malaga vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv, 83-69
Malaga’s recent good form continued on Thursday as the EuroCup champs put themselves firmly in the running for the play-offs with a big win over 8th place Maccabi Tel Aviv. The success pushed Malaga to 10-13 behind Maccabi’s 12-11 showing. It was a 42-41 one-point game through the long break, but the hosts exploded in the second half, including a 23-14 run in the fourth act that put Tel Aviv to bed for good.