Galatasaray pulls one back in playoffs series

ISTANBUL

Galatasaray Odeabank won 65-63 against Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Spor Toto Basketball League Playoffs late on May 29 to cut their opponent’s lead to 2-1 in the series, although the match was marred by crowd trouble including an attack on Fener’s legendary coach, Zeljko Obradovic.

The match at Galatasaray’s home Abdi İpekçi Arena was decided by only two points, where the yellow-and-reds managed to use the home court advantage to force a Game 4 in the best-of-five series.      
 
The match was played in a tense atmosphere, as fans threw debris onto the court at the end of the third quarter, delaying the start of the fourth quarter. Galatasaray was up 53-50 at the time.

The win marks the 10th victory in a row at home for Galatasaray against Fenerbahçe, as well as head coach Ergin Ataman’s 11th win against Obradovic in a sum of 28 matchups. 

An unidentified stain appeared on Obradovic’s face, with Fenerbahçe later saying on its website that it was spit from a Galatasaray fan. 

In the victory, Galatasaray’s Blake Schlib played an all-around game, scoring 15 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists.        

Erick McCollum and Chuck Davis also contributed with 15 points for the home team.      
 
For Fenerbahçe, center Ekpe Udoh scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the losing effort.  
Game 4 will go on May 31 at Abdi İpekçi Arena.