Ergin Ataman: 'It's not easy to play without Larkin and Beaubois' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman lacked creativity from his guards and explained that the team deserved to lose having received minimal contribution from the bench.

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Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2-3) took their third loss in the last four games against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (5-0) today. The team struggled to score as Will Clyburn ended the game with just 8 points having previously averaged 20.2.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Marko Guduric Points 19 Accuracy 6-12 Rebounds 6 Assists 3

Talking after the game, Efes head coach Ergin Ataman admitted that it's difficult to play without two of their main creators - Shane Larkin and Rodrigue Beaubois, who were both sidelined due to injuries.

"It's not easy for us to play without Larkin and Beaubois. In addition, things are not easy when we don't receive contributions from the bench. Today, only Dogus Balbay was involved in the game from the side and contributed to the defense," he told. "It is normal for us to lose when we have a situation like this. Our opponent was much better than us."

"We are a team that plays using the guards and reaches the top in this way. We are currently unable to do this. We're just left with Micic's creativity and Clyburn's one-on-ones," Ataman explained. "Clyburn wasn't very effective today either. And yet, we cannot establish the order we want. I think our problem is mostly with our creative guards."

With Clyburn having a rough game, only Vasilije Micic and Amath M'Baye provided a spark for an otherwise-weak offense. Even Micic himself made just 5 shots out of 13.

Next week, Efes travel to Germany to face off against the only winless team in the tournament so far - FC Bayern Munich.

Game highlights:

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