By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos and Baskonia proceeded with victories tonight (21/3) and together with Fenerbahce, can mathematically qualify to the EuroLeague playoffs tomorrow (22/3) if CSKA Moscow beats Darussafaka Dogus at home.
The Greens overpowered already eliminated Olimpia Milano in Athens and Baskonia made short work of Brose Bamberg on the road. They both improved their record to 16 – 11 and are tied at the fifth spot in the standings. Dacka currently stands at 13 – 14 and there’s no way it can catch up with them if it falls in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce fell victim of a major upset handed by Maccabi Tel Aviv in Istanbul, although the Israelis were fighting only for reasons of prestige, since they have lost track of the playoffs race weeks ago. Despite this outcome, the Turkish team remains fourth in the standings at 17 – 10 and can capitalize from a possible Dacka loss tomorrow (21/3) to lock the playoffs spot.
Darussafaka Dogus has a difficult task ahead, facing the defending champs away from home. Still, David Blatt and his players possess the know-how on outplaying them since they had granted CSKA Moscow its first defeat in the EuroLeague season back in November.