MOSCOW, December 14 (R-Sport) - Russia’s BC Khimki has secured a favorable draw for the Euroleague playoffs after a tense 78-77 win over Greece’s Panathinaikos.
Eurocup holder Khimki progresses from second place in regular season Group A with a 6-4 record, behind Spain’s Real Madrid and ahead of Panathinaikos and Turkey’s Fenerbahce, which also qualified.
The score was level at 74-74 going into the final minute of Thursday's game, before fouls from Panathinaikos allowed Khimki’s Kresimir Loncar and Kelvin Rivers to net four free throws, making Marcus Banks’ final three-pointer for the Greeks just a consolation.
Panathinaikos’ Stephane Lasme top-scored for the game with 19 points, plus eight rebounds and three blocks, while Khimki’s Zoran Planicic led his team with a 16-point haul as the Russians continued their unbeaten home record.
Elsewhere, CSKA Moscow beat Barcelona 78-75 in Spain, with both teams already assured of making the playoffs.
CSKA’s margin of victory was not enough to give the visitors first place in Group D. The other teams to reach the playoffs from the group are Turkey’s Besiktas and German team Brose Baskets.
For CSKA, Nenad Krstic top-scored with 15 points and helped out with five rebounds, while Barcelona was led by Juan Carlos Navarro on 17 points.
With the two eight-team playoff groups mostly decided ahead of Friday’s final games in Group C, Khimki’s group includes Maccabi Tel Aviv and Barcelona, while CSKA is to play Real, Panathinaikos and Unicaja Malaga.
Reigning champion team Olympiacos could yet join either group, depending on results Friday.
