By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The score was tied at 58 at the start of the last period, but Anadolu Efes proved to be once more the better team and got the 79-71 win at Tel Aviv against Maccabi.
The guests entered the last quarter with a 13-4 run led by Shane Larkin who finished the night with 13 points, they build a nine-point lead (71-62) and never looked back.
Maccabi couldn’t get into striking distance, despite making it a six-point game (77-71) and despite a valiant effort lost a crucial home game in front of a sold-out crowd.
“We made a mistake at the beginning of the game, we started very bad, but every minute we improved on defense and had game discipline”, said after the final buzzer coach Ergin Ataman. “On offense, we found the open player, and we played excellently. We might secure our qualification and it was a very important victory. It was also an important game for Maccabi but I’m proud of my players, they fought for every ball.”
Five players of the Efes scored in double-digits with Vasilje Micic leading the way with 15. The unit of coach Ergin Ataman remains fourth in the league standings with a 17-9 record after its 200th win in the modern EuroLeague, while Maccabi dropped to 12-14 and remains on the ninth position.
Tarik Black with 18 points and Johnny O’Bryant with 13 were the top scorers of Maccabi who led for most of the first half, but couldn’t keep up with Efes until the end. The hosts ended up shooting less than 40% on their home court.
Photo credit: EuroLeague