Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: Midway point underway
Round 15 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague tipped off on Thursday with four games, with the remaining four contests to get underway on Friday. This is a significant round because it is the final Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games of 2017. It is also the midway point of the Regular Season and as we look ahead to 2018 we have a good idea of how each club is performing and how the standings may be after Round 30.
Fenerbahce Istanbul vs. Real Madrid, 77-79
A clash between the current Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champ Fenerbahce and winningest EuroLeague club Real Madrid went to the wire. The win continued Madrid’s recent upturn in form, putting Los Blancos on 9-6. Fener is still doing well on the same record, but will be worried with losing its last three games. This game was close without, but Fenerbahce could have tied the scoreboard in the final seconds. Brad Wanamaker had two shots, but missed, handing the victory to Real Madrid.
Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Olympiacos Piraeus, 74-68
Make no mistake, Zalgiris is a dark horse this season and is flying. The Lithuanian champ defeated Olympiacos to move to 10-5 and a tie for third place. As for Olympiacos, it slips to 11-4 and CSKA Moscow could take sole possession of first place with a win tomorrow. The visitors led the contest 36-38 through halftime, and by 48-53 through thirty minutes. However, Zalgiris rallied in the fourth act with a 26-15 run that snatched victory from the Greek giant.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Unicaja Malaga, 78-89
Both these clubs have had strange 2017 campaigns. Tel Aviv crumbled last season, one of its worst ever, but has started this term in good form. Unicaja Malaga in contrast won the 2017 EuroCup but has found the EuroLeague season hard. It was perhaps fitting then that the teams reversed roles and Malaga picked up a much needed win here. The loss saw Maccabi Tel Aviv slip to 8-7, while Malaga improved to 7-8 and is slowly climbing the table.
Valencia Basket vs. Panathinaikos Athens, 67-63
Spanish champs Valencia picked up a needed with by defeating high-flying Panathinaikos. It was Valencia’s fourth win of the season, moving the club off the bottom of the standings at 4-11. As for Panathinaikos, the club’s position is unchanged as The Greens hold a 10-5 record in a tie for third place.