Anything can still happen with one semifinal game to go in both of the two-game total-points series that will decide the 2014-15 Eurocup finalists. In Wednesday’s earlier game, the visitors used a big first quarter to take a lead they never relinquished. The second game was close for 40 minutes and ultimately decided by 1 point.
Unics Kazan vs Herbalife Gran Canaria Las Palmas
It’s started with a big opening quarter and the visitors didn’t let go until Herbalife Gran Canaria Las Palmas completed 70-83 victory over Unics Kazan to take a promising lead in their series. Gran Canaria takes a 13-point advantage into Game 2, which it hosts next Wednesday. Gran Canaria also became the second team to win 20 games in a Eurocup season, as it improved to 20-1 this season. Unics finished the 2013-14 Eurocup season with a 20-4 record. Brad Newley, Eulis Baez and Walter Tavares led the winners with 12 points apiece. Tavares added 11 rebounds for a double-double – 8 of them at the offensive end. And Tomas Bellas dished 9 assists for Gran Canaria. Sergey Bykov led Unics with 17 points and 8 assists and Curtis Jerrells added 15 points.
Banvit Bandirma vs. Khimki Moscow Region
Banvit Bandirma and Khimki Moscow Region practically played to a standstill in Game 1 of their two-game total-points Eurocup Semifinals series. Banvit Bandirma edged Khimki Moscow Region 83-82 behind late free throws by E.J. Rowald and Can Maxim Mutaf to set up an exciting second leg next week in Russia. The biggest lead of the game was 6 points early in the third quarter of a game that was tightly contested throughout; the score was tied five different times in the fourth quarter alone. Rowland led the Banvit attack with 21 points and 5 assists. Mutaf made 4 of 7 three-pointers en route to 16 points, while Chuck Davis scored 15 and Sammy Mejia 11. Tyrese Rice paced Khimki with 22 points and 7 assists, Petteri Koponen added 16 points, Paul Davis 14 and James Augustine compiled 11 points and 10 rebounds.
