By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The final score was 82-81 for Baskonia which managed to come back from a nine-point deficit thanks to an amazing team effort, while Efes committed suicide.
The hosts started the last period with a 6-0 run (74-65) and kept Baskonia to just two points almost for five minutes. Still, with less than two minutes left, the guests made it a one-point game (79-78) after a shot by French big man Vincent Poirier, but Errick McCollum had the answer (81-78).
Toko Shengelia cut the lead again to one (81-80), both McCollum and Krunoslav Simon missed crucial chances and Baskonia had the ability to win the game with 20 seconds on the clock. Poirier made two free throws (82-81) and with three seconds left, Timma stole the ball from Simon. Efes didn’t even have the chance to take the last shot.
The star: Poirier had his break out game with a double-double (16 p. 12 r.) five blocks and also made the most important shots of the game, the free throws that decided the outcome.
Matt Janning scored 16 points on 4/5 threes, while Toko Shengelia was great especially in the first half and finished the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds.
The game: After a close first half which ended with Baskonia leading by three (45-42) the guests got a lead in double digits (57-47) for the first time thanks to a 10-0 run. However, Anadolu Efes came back and everything was decided on details.
Vladimir Stimac registered a EuroLeague season-best in rebounds (17 r.) and he was one of the five scorers of the hosts who scored 10 or more points. Errick McCollum was the main offensive option of Anadolu Efes and he finished the night with 21 points, which were not enough.
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