Fenerbahçe to meet Anadolu Efes in playoff finals


Istanbul basketball giants Fenerbahçe claimed their ticket for the Spor Toto Basketball League playoff finals by eliminating archrivals Galatasaray Odeabank in the semi-final series late Tuesday.Fenerbahçe won the fourth match of the series against Galatasaray Odeabank 82-75 and won the series 3-1, thus advancing to the finals.The fourth match of the series was played in Galatasaray Odeabank's home court without spectators since the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) Discipline Committee sanctioned Galatasaray Odeabank, making them play their two home matches behind closed doors due to the fans' violent behavior during the previous game.The match's top scorer was Fenerbahçe point guard Bobby Dixon, also known as Ali Muhammed. The U.S.-born Turkish player scored 18 points. His teammate Melih Mahmutoğlu played an important role in the triumph, as he poured in 16 points.Meanwhile, Galatasaray Odeabank guards Errick McCollum and Sinan Güler and center Stephane Lasme scored 15 points each, but their efforts were not enough to tie the series against Fenerbahçe. Thus Galatasaray Odeabank were eliminated.The victorious side of the semis, Fenerbahçe, will play against the other Istanbul basketball heavyweights, Anadolu Efes, in the finals phase.