Bost, Blackshear power Galatasaray to home win over Efes, force Game 5 / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Media Credit FIBA Media

Galatasaray were leading for the most part of Game 4 against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, before downing the reigning EuroLeague champs for the second time in the Turkish BSL playoff semifinal series by 86-81 (16-23, 26-20, 24-21, 20-17).

Free throws this season

82%13,0Points made:13,0Accuracy:81,5%Place in standings:7Record max:28Record min:3Most made FTs:Vasilije MicicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Now, a Game 5 will be needed to decide the team that will join Fenerbahce Beko in the finals. Since Efes have the home-court advantage, they will be the hosts of the final outing, set to take place next Saturday.

Since the 2018-19 season, no other teams except Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce have reached the finals in the domestic competition.

Dee Bost was once again Galatasaray's leading scorer with 20 points, 12 of which came in a second-quarter outburst. Kerry Blackshear added 18 for the hosts, who had Melo Trimble and Isaiah Canaan on a bad shooting night.

For Efes, Vasilije Micic and Shane Larkin combined for 40 points, but the Turkish champs were unable to make some stops down the stretch.

Efes started the game strong, as Shane Larkin scored 11 of his team's 25 first points. The guests took an eight-point lead (17-25), before Galatasaray responded with 12 straight points, changing the course of the contest almost single-handedly.

Efes were held scoreless for three minutes, during which Pistiolis' team took the reigns (33-27). Halfway through the second quarter, Shane Larkin ran into Kabaca's elbow and had to be stitched up under the eye to be able to continue.

Vasilije Micic kept scoring, providing 13 points overall in the first half and keeping Efes up 43-42 at half-time.

Bost and Micic continued in the same pace in the third quarter, with Galatasaray holding a slight edge. Kabaca made it 66-61 for the hosts, but Bryant hit his first three-point shot to cut down the deficit to only two (66-64).

Kerry Blackshear offered six points in a crucial moment for the hosts (79-72), and Bost made another long-range jumper to restore Galatasaray's lead to eight (84-76) with four minutes remaining. Efes had no problem on the offensive end, but there was no way Ataman's players could stop their opponents.

However, Shane Larkin hit a dagger to make it 86-81 and keep his team in contention. Dunston blocked Trimble, but Larkin missed the target and the game was over.

Galatasaray NEF: Dee Bost 20 (5/11 FG, 6/7 FT, 3 REB, 7 AST), Kerry Blackshear 18 (7/9 FG, 2/2 FT, 5 REB, 2 AST), Maurice Ndour 12 (5/6 FG, 2/2 FT, 4 REB, 3 AST), Emir Kabaca 10 (5 REB).

Anadolu Efes Instanbul: Vasilije Micic 23 (8/13 FG, 4/5 FT, 6 REB, 3 AST, 3 TO), Shane Larkin 17 (6/13 FG, 3 REB, 5 AST), Elijah Bryant 13 (6/12 FG, 8 REB, 4 AST), Chris Singleton 12 (5/9 FG, 3 REB), Bryant Dunston 9 (8 REB).

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