By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Shane Larkin is the hottest player in Europe, Anadolu Efes plays with incredible confidence, and the final 101-74 win over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne can’t be considered a surprise. The Turks remain on top of the standings with a 17-3 record, while ASVEL dropped to 8-12.
Larkin set the tone early on. He finished the first half with 19 points in 17 minutes and a 26 PIR. Behind his shooting, Anadolu Efes built a 60-45 advantage and never looked back, starting the game with a 35-22 first quarter and never looked back.
In total, Larkin had 29 points in 28 minutes of action and a 45 PIR after seven assists, six rebounds, and only one turnover. “As a team, we are in a great place,” he said after the final buzzer. “We are playing together, playing hard, playing defense, sharing the ball, and everybody is feeling good. I am only doing this because my teammates are pressing me and pushing me to do this. I am just happy that we have a great group, and we hopefully can keep it going”.
Rodrigue Beaubois added 14 points, Sertac Sanli had 13, and the duo of James Anderson and Krunoslav Simon scored 10 points each.
To be exact, Efes led even by 29 points (99-70) four minutes before the end of the game, and ASVEL couldn’t react.
Amine Noua scored 16 points, while Livio Jean-Charles and Adreian Payne added 12 points each for the losing side.
“I have great players.”
Anadolu Efes coach Ergin Ataman didn’t hide his satisfaction after the game: “I am proud of my players. Every game, they put 100% of their energy, capacity, teamwork on the game. They respect all the people that are coming in this arena every game, 13,000-15,000 people, and one more time, we showed our power. It was a great game, a fantastic game, and a great victory with great players. I have great players. They are hustling, and we played fantastic basketball, so congratulations to all of my players. I am proud of this team: they hustle, and our goal is to continue like this. One more game, we played perfectly. One more game, we scored more than 100 points with great basketball, great defense. Everything was perfect, but all of this is for my players. I have great players with great character. This year, in Spain, we won three games against Valencia, Baskonia, and Basketball. We will see what is going on in Madrid.”
Plus Ataman revealed that injured point guard Vasilje Micic is expected to play next week against Real Madrid: “He will be back in practice next week”.
Photo credit: EuroLeague