By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes, the back-to-back champions, started their quest for a historic EuroLeague three-peat by beating Crvena Zvezda 72-59.
Newcomer Will Clyburn with 19 points was the top scorer of the winning side, while Vasilje Micic added 16 points and six assists.
“I had a good first half, in the second half I struggled a bit, but all and all this being my first game, the atmosphere was great, the fans were great, my teammates were great, and everyone welcomed me with open arms“, said Clyburn.
Rodrigue Beaubois had 10 points for the winning side, while Ben Bentil with 13 points was the top scorer of the Serbs.
Crvena Zvezda was more than competitive in the first half, keeping a 35-34 lead after 20 minutes of action.
“We were nervous in the first half, trying to finish the game in the first minutes”, said Micic.
However, Efes built a 51-43 advantage after five minutes of action in the third period with Clyburn having 14 points and Micic 11 up to that point.
“In the second half we played better defense and had some points in transition”, Efes coach Ergin Ataman said. “We didn’t play great basketball, but we played great defense and got the way to win the game”.
The hosts closed the quarter leading by six (56-50). Hassan Martin made it a four-point game (56-52) but Micic answered with a three (59-52) Elijah Bryant made two free throws (61-52) and Bryant Dunston with a steal and an acrobatic bucket gave Efes a double-digit points difference (63-52) for the first time.
“We had a problem with our turnovers in the second half and we didn’t control the game offensively”, admitted Zvezda coach Vladimir Jovanovic.
The champs led by 13 (70-57) entering the last two minutes and there was no coming back for Zvezda after that.