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Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv are the second team through to the 2014 Euroleague Final Four after they beat EA7 Milano 86-66 to win the quarter-final series 3-1.
Trailing after all three quarters, a packed Nokia Arena saw their side blitz Milan in the final period as Maccabi went on a 15-3 run at the start of the fourth to lead 69-59 and put the game beyond doubt.
It was an incredible turnaround as for three quarters Milano looked destined to take the series back to Italy by securing the road win that they needed. But it wasn’t to be.
Ricky Hickman and Alex Tyus led Maccabi with 16 points each as the Euroleague veterans will head back to Milan, but for a Euroleague title, not for Game 5.
Maccabi coach David Blatt believes though that his team will head to the Final Four as underdogs.
“We are going to the Final Four as an underdog – a Cinderella team in all parameters,” he said. “But we have shown this season we can beat all teams. We are not better than them, but in one game we can stand up to every team. “
Milano’s Keith Langford led all scorers with 28 points.
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Euroleague champions Olympiacos have forced a Game 5 decider by beating Real Madrid 71-62 in Piraeus and taking the series back to the Spanish capital.
The Reds were finally able to pull away from Real Madrid in the final quarter in a physical battle. Bryant Dunston and Matt Lojeski led Olympiacos with 13 points each, and both pulled down 9 and 7 rebounds respectively.
Rudy Fernandez led Real Madrid with 18 points and 8 rebounds.
“Although we were down 0-2, we tied the series and I think we can make it to the Final Four,” Lojeski said. “Concentration and defense were once again the keys to beating Real Madrid. I think that all of our players contributed to the victory and deserve the MVP.”
Panathinaikos have also forced a Game 5 decider after beating CSKA Moscow in overtime 73-72 as this incredible series also goes the distance.
Vitaly Fridzon hit a corner jumper that he thought was a three but was adjudged a two, which sent the game to overtime. From there, Panathinaikos and CSKA were deadlocked until a foul shot from Diamantidis gave the hosts the edge. Moscow had a chance to win it with 2 seconds left but Sonny Weems turned the ball over, which takes the game back to Russia on Friday.
Jonas Maciulis led Panathinaikos with 15 points. Vladimir Micov paced CSKA with 15 as well.
“We did what exactly we were aiming for; tie the series and go back to Moscow,” Panathinaikos coach Fragkiskos Alvertis said. “It was a thrilling game, which gave us more confidence. Game 5 will be very tough, but we will go there to play with a big heart and maximum competiveness.”
