By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes saved the best for last, not only for the game but also for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season.
The Turkish team won 87-77 over Zalgiris Kaunas, their eighth straight win of the season, and avoided the Play-Ins.
Five players scored in double digits, with Shane Larkin and Jordan Nwora leading them with 13 points each.
“We’ve had to win every single game to get here”, said Larkin after the game, explaining the team’s mentality during this 8-win run.
Zalgiris had six players in double digits but couldn’t avoid the defeat once more, having in total a 15-19 record, while Efes climbed to 20-14.
Efes closing it the right way
With the playoffs on the line, Anadolu Efes started the game with a 22-14 first-quarter lead, which was extended to 49-37 at halftime with the hosts shooting 70,4% in two-pointers (19/27).
Zalgiris also was hot with 63,2% in two-pointers, but the Lithuanians also made one three in nine attempts, while also losing the rebounding battle.
Efes extended their advantage to 15 points (52-37) with a three by Darius Thompson; still, Zalgiris didn’t give up, making it a four-point game (68-64) after a 15-4 run.
The hosts entered the last quarter up by seven (71-64) after a three by Elijah Bryant, only for Zalgiris to score five straight points, a shot by Bryant Dunston and a three by Sylvain Francisco to make it a two-point game (71-69).
With six minutes left, the score was tied at 73, and everything seemed possible. However, Efes, with a 10-0 run, created distance (83-73) in the most crucial moment of the game and got the win.
Photo credit: EuroLeague