By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a game full of ups and downs, Crvena Zvezda delivered a late surge and took down Anadolu Efes with 93-85 on the scoreboard.
Efes had its own comeback from being ten points down (61-51) in the third quarter and eventually held an 82-77 lead with four minutes remaining.
However, Zvezda went on a 12-2 run (87-84), sparked by Luka Mitrovic and closed out by Nikola Kalinic’s three-point dunk play followed up by Nate Wolters’ driving layup.
Kalinic finished with 16 points, ten rebounds, and eight assists while Wolters scored 15 points, as did Ognjen Dobric. Mitrovic added 11 and Dejan Davidovac ten points
For Efes, Shane Larkin logged 16 in addition to Bryant Dunston’s 15 and Chris Singelton’s 13 points (eight boards). James Anderson helped with 12.
It was a good season
Kalinic noted that the win had a bitter taste as Zvezda didn’t secure a playoff spot but also wasn’t fully unsatisfied with the season, especially ending it on a high note.
“We wanted to finish the season with a win. We didn’t achieve our goal. We tried to be in the playoffs but it is always nicer to win the last game. We gave a lot of effort, a lot of energy. We played good in some moments – in other moments, not so good – and we wanted to be better than in our last game, especially at the end of the game, in which we didn’t make a foul, especially me,” he said and added.
“Before the season, everybody said that we were going to be last or one before last, but we started to play good and were in the battle for playoffs. We managed to get some wins in a row and everyone’s expectations were raised, but I think it was a good season. We had some injuries, a little bad luck and a lack of focus or concentration.”
Impacting the playoff picture
While this game didn’t have an importance for the hosts who finished at the 11th spot of the Euroleague standings with 12-16, it did have a big impact on the overall playoff picture.
Instead of securing the fifth spot, Efes (16-12) now depends on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s last regular-season game against Fenerbahce. The Israelis are right behind Efes with 16-11 and will overtake with a win.
That said, there are two playoff scenarios left and the quarterfinals will be set after Maccabi’s game. The pairings are as follows:
Barcelona – Bayern
Olympiacos – Monaco
Milan – Efes/Maccabi
Real Madrid – Efes/Maccabi
Coach of the winning squad Dejan Radonjic reminded everybody that Efes is the reigning champion and that it is always a good day when one achieves victory against them.
“Efes is still the European champion. It was a tough game, definitely. We had good momentum in the third quarter but they showed why they are one of the best teams in the EuroLeague. In the last few minutes, we played quite well at both ends and a big win for us.”