By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes rolled Fenerbahce Beko, 111-71, for the 1-0 lead in the BSL Playoffs Finals on Thursday.
Shane Larkin put up 23 points and Vasilije Micic followed with 19 points of his own to start the best-of-five series. A dominating performance after the break turned a close affair into a blowout as the distance peaked at 40 points.
Ergin Ataman’s side, in its first showing after being crowned the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions, recovered quickly from a sluggish start in Game 1. Making 15/33 triples certainly helped the case for the W in convincing fashion.
The team coached by Igor Kokoskov jumped to an early seven-point lead but failed to keep up the pace. Captain Melih Mahmutoglu logged 14 points in the second half for a team-high 19 points.
Game 2 will be held at the same venue on Saturday.