Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two Spanish sides in this year’s Euroleague playoffs, managed to take full home court advantage against Galatasaray and Olympiacos. Barcelona was convincing against the Turkish side in a game in which Galatasaray’s starting play Carlos Arroyo didn’t play due to an ankle injury. In the second matchup of the day Real Madrid started the game in a fury and managed to secure their second win at home in the series.

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Barcelona 84-63 Galatasaray

The injury of Carlos Arroyo is a huge upset for the Turkish side and their Cinderella season is finally coming to the end. They may snatch one win at home, but that is probably their maximum against a fully equipped Barcelona. The Spanish side opened the game with 21 to 8 run in the first quarter and managed to build up a 21 point difference until the end of the game. They didn’t allow Galatasaray to win in not a single quarter.

It is interesting to say that none of Barcelona’s players played more than 25 minutes in the game. Only Juan Carlos Navarro, who left the game in the first quarter due to a leg problem, didn’t score for the home side. Alejandro Abrines and Brad Oleson combined for 26 points on 100% shooting from the floor coming in from the bench.

Arslan Ender was playing good ball for the visiting side and finished the fixture with 11 points and 7 assists. Only he and Henry Domercant managed to score in double figures. Galatasaray also made 12 turnovers in the game which was double of Barcelona’s mistakes. That was one of the biggest signals that they are missing their star player Carlos Arroyo.

Real Madrid 82-77 Olympiacos

Led by their captain Vassilis Spanoulis, Olympiacos came back in the second half after Real Madrid build a secure 11 point lead at the break. But that was not enough for the Reds from Athens to make a surprising result. They lost by five points in a game in which they didn’t manage to take the lead.

Nikola Mirotic and Ioannis Bourousis combined for 33 points and proved once again that Olympiacos has some weak spots in the paint. They were also supported by playmaker Sergio Llull who finished with 11 points and 7 assists making only one turnover. Ruduy Fernandez was excellent on defense and had a good shooting night with 15 points 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Vassilis Spanoulis was the best individual on the visiting team having 18 points and 5 rebounds, but at the same time losing 4 balls in turnovers. Bryant Dunston helped him as much as he could finishing the game with 12 points and 9 rebounds.