Galatasaray one win away from Turkish basketball league finals

ISTANBUL

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Defending Turkish men’s basketball league champion Galatasaray Liv Hospital is one win away from the finals, following its victory over Banvit on May 28.

The Istanbul team used its home-court advantage to beat Banvit, the regular season leaders, and won the game 67-61 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series.

If Galatasaray can win game four in Istanbul on May 30, it will meet archrival Fenerbahçe Ülker in the Beko Basketball League final series.

Fenerbahçe Ülker qualified for the final after sweeping its series against Pınar Karşıyaka 3-0.

On May 28, Galatasaray had a strong fourth quarter, where it outscored Banvit 29-19 to rally for the win.

Veteran guard Carlos Arroyo was the high scorer with 19 points and six assists. Zoran Erceg had 14 points, while Erwin Dudley, who had eight points, was a presence on the boards, pulling 15 rebounds.

E.J. Rowland and Alade Aminu scored 14 points apiece for Banvit, who lost its home-court advantage in the series by losing the second game at its home court. If Banvit wins tonight, the decisive fifth game will be played at its stadium in Bandırma.

Game four at Abdi İpekçi Arena starts at 8 p.m. on May 30.