By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes and AS Monaco entered Game 2 of their respective series against Panathinaikos and Barcelona with different moods, situations, and environments.
The Turkish team suffered a road defeat in Game 1 in OAKA and had to bounce back to continue hoping about making it to the Final Four, while the Monegasque could count on an inaugural victory against the Catalans, possibly getting up 2-0 before moving to Palau Blaugrana.
Both teams were successful in Game 2, mainly thanks to the performances provided by Anadolu Efes‘ Shane Larkin and AS Monaco’s Mam Jaiteh – both were named MVPs of this Playoffs Round.
The former back-to-back EuroLeague champion with Efes had a clutch night against the reigning champions and his former head coach, Ergin Ataman. He concluded with 20 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds in his team’s 79-76 victory.
Ultimately, Shane Larkin had a PIR of 27, just like Mam Jaiteh. Inspired by Monaco’s guards and generally by the team’s 28 assists shared, he finished with 20 points over a perfect 9/9 from the field.
Juancho Hernangomez was previously named MVP of Game 1 in this EuroLeague Playoffs, providing a huge 40-PIR night for Panathinaikos with a double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds against Anadolu Efes in OAKA.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague