By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Looking to sneak into the 2024 Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi Playoffs, Bursaspor Info Yatirim completed the first of two necessary steps on Monday. Holding on for a win, 98-90, versus Anadolu Efes in Sinan Erdem Dome extended a late bid for the seventh spot on the final rankings of the Regular Season to a demanding matchup with fellow Istanbul outfit Fenerbahce Beko in Tofas Arena on Saturday.
Leading nearly the entire game, including large chunks of the Round 30 fixture with a double-digit advantage, the visitors had explosive guard Erick Neal netting 23 points. Experienced big Alex Gavrilovic posted a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double to keep his side on the path to the seventh seed in the Playoffs bracket.
Between injuries and squad restrictions, Shane Larkin, Erten Gazi, Will Clyburn, Tibor Pleiss, Justus Hollatz, Daniel Oturu, and Derek Willis were out for the defending BSL champions. Wrapping up the Regular Season, Tyrique Jones stood out with a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double.
BSL Round 30
Besiktas Emlakjet – Reeder Samsunspor 111-55
Manisa – Pinar Karsiyaka 80-98
Tofas – Galatasaray Ekmas 102-107
Aliaga Petkimspor – Cagdas Bodrum Spor 120-76
Yukatel Merkezefendi – Bahcesehir Koleji 86-75
Turk Telekom – Darussafaka Lassa 90-71
Anadolu Efes – Bursaspor Info Yatirim 90-98
Fenerbahce Beko – Onvo Buyukcekmece PPD
STANDINGS: Anadolu Efes 55 (25-5), Fenerbahce Beko 51 (23-5), Besiktas Emlakjet 51 (21-9), Pinar Karsiyaka 51 (21-9), Galatasaray Ekmas 46 (16-14), Manisa 46 (16-14)…
Moving to the Playoffs of Turkiye’s top-flight division as the top seed, Efes will face the eighth-placed side in a best-of-three series. Potential opponents are Aliaga Petkimspor, Turk Telekom, and Onvo Buyukcekmece, depending on suspended contests involving Fener.
With two games left in the Regular Season, against Bursaspor on Saturday and Buyukcekmece on Monday, the crosstown rival can not budge from the second seed on the Playoffs bracket. Therefore, the seventh seed, Petkimspor or Bursaspor, sets up the quarterfinal challenge.
Elsewhere, third-seeded Besiktas Emlakjet versus sixth-seeded Manisa and fourth-seeded Pinar Karsiyaka versus fifth-seeded Galatasaray Ekmas will face each other for a berth in the Semifinals.
Besides a best-of-three series deciding the first round of the postseason, a best-of-five format covers the Semifinals and Finals.