By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Besiktas has made two great steps in order to win the Turkish championship and it’s still unknown if Anadolu Efes can react. The “Eagles” have a 2-0 lead in the finals after their second break on Thursday at Efes home court (76-71). Five Besiktas players scored in double digits with Carlos Arroyo leading the way with 19 points. Kerem Tunceri scored 18 points for Efes, Sasha Vujacic was absent for one more time and coach Ilias Zouros for one more game had complains from the referees: “In every game our opponent shoots at least 10 free throws more than us”.
In Spain, Caja Laboral had the chance in their gym to finish Real Madrid, but after an incredible performance by Novica Velickovic (22 p., 5 r.) Real beat the team of coach Ivanovic 76-66 (2-2). Their semifinal series will be concluded in Madrid in Game 5.
In Italy, EA7 Milano beat Scavolini Pesaro 84-68, has a 2-0 lead in their semifinal series thanks to the duo of point guard Omar Cook (17 p., 5 as.) and center Yiannis Bourousis (18 p., 7 r.).
In Poland, Asseco Prokom Gdynia moved within a win for their ninth championship. Prokom beat on the road 79-71 (3-1) Trefl Sopot with Jerel Blassingame scoring 21 points.