Reds and Greens start play-offs with wins

Olympiakos and Panathinaikos have taken their first step toward reaching the finals of the Basket League, beating Aris and AEK respectively at the start of the best-of-five semifinal series.

The Reds saw off Aris 84-54 in Piraeus on Wednesday as they gears up for their participation in the Euroleague Final Four next week (on May 19), but had a scare with Ioannis Papapetrou who during the game fell on the floor injured and passed out.

AEK challenged Panathinaikos at their common home court, the Olympic Sports Hall, on Thursday, but the Greens eventually won 80-70 shaking off the effect of 16 days of inactivity following their Euroleague elimination.

On Saturday Aris hosts Olympiakos for Game 2 and on Sunday AEK entertains Panathinaikos.