By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Shane Larkin had 40 points with ten made threes, he proved once more that he is having the best season ever on a personal level in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Anadolu Efes got the 91-79 win over Olympiacos.
Larkin had a 41 ranking with five assists, three steals, and no turnover while shooting 10/15 threes and tying the all-time record for made threes in EuroLeague. It was his second game of the season with 40 or more points, including his historic 49-point output.
Larkin became the first-ever player to score 40+ in two games during the same EuroLeague season. Meanwhile, his team leads the standings with a 24-4 record.
“I missed a couple of weeks with my ankle injury and last week I didn’t play well for my team, I missed a game-winning shot. So tonight I made it a reason to go out there and try to be effective. And luckily, the shots went in,” Larkin said.
Despite a 15-8 start by Olympiacos, Efes reacted and got 29-19 lead before the end of the first period. The hosts led even by 15 (51-36) with the guests trimming the lead to 10 points (51-41) at halftime.
Things didn’t change in the second half, with Efes jumping to an 18-point advantage (71-53). Olympiacos managed to make it an eight-point game (72-64) in the last quarter, but couldn’t get any closer. Octavius Ellis scored 14 points and Dwight Buycks a season-high 111 points for the Reds who dropped to a 12-16 record.
“It is impossible that a player like Larkin plays bad in two games”
Shane Larkin missed the game-winning attempt against Maccabi in Tel Aviv, in his first game since his return from injury. There was no way that he wouldn’t contribute big time vs. Olympiacos, according to Efes coach Ergin Ataman.
“Of course, Shane Larkin had an amazing game, but he is an amazing player,” Ataman said. “He came back from injury in Tel Aviv, he was so-so, but it is impossible that a player like Larkin plays bad two games. Tonight, he came back with his fantastic game. Also, Micic played excellent, especially in the beginning with the pick-and-roll offense. Also, Dunston in his first [full game] back after four or five months with injury; he gave us also a good contribution”.
Photo credit: EuroLeague