Ergin Ataman praises Galatasaray fans: 'I had a great deja-vu' / News - Basketnews.com

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The third game of the semi-final playoff series in the BSL between Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Galatasaray finished with another clutch shot from Vasilje Micic that gave the win to the reigning EuroLeague champs (71-64).

2-pointers this season

57%19,3Points made:19,3Accuracy:56,8%Place in standings:11Record max:28Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Vasilije MicicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Now, Efes got back the home-court advantage and got into the front seat for the finals.

"This was a nice, tough game like it should be in the playoffs," commented Ergin Ataman, Anadolu Efes' head coach.

"After the first game that we lost, we decided to bring the tempo down and tried to put the ball into the paint. We could not find much accuracy from Larkin and Micic until the very end. On offense, both teams were wasteful. But this is normal; it was a heavy, intense atmosphere," he added.

"But we are more experienced, and in the end, Micic beat Goksenin Koksal's good defense and brought the game for us. Larkin played with 10 assists, despite not scoring much," he pointed out.

Ergin Ataman also did not conceal his joy upon seeing Galatasaray fans finally start to believe in their team and rekindle their enthusiasm.

As a former coach who led Galatasaray to EuroCup and Turkish League titles, the scene brought back him some memories.

"I would like to congratulate Galatasaray fans and management," Ataman said. "They gave me a deja-vu here after all those long years. I would like to thank them for giving me a standing ovation."

"They supported us on the way to the EuroLeague title throughout the entire season. I felt it pretty much. Some small issues happened in the previous games, but it is all good now, Efes and Galatasaray are friends.

It is very important for Galatasaray fans to have a sold-out game here in such an atmosphere. This is an important club and one of the juggernauts of Turkish basketball like Fenerbahce and Besiktas," Efes head coach added.

Ataman also clarified his nice gesture to Galatasaray head coach Andreas Pistiolis before the game when the crowd started to welcome him to the court.

After Pistiolis came here, Galatasaray found a great momentum," Ataman explained.

"As an older coach, I wanted to salute the crowd with him next to me to honor him. I knew him before, of course, from his CSKA days. We are constantly in dialogue here. He is a younger coach that I like," Ataman concluded.

Ataman also noted that Shane Larkin had a small injury in his foot, and it would be a game-time decision on whether he is going to play in the next game.

The fourth game of the best-of-five series will be played in Sinan Erdem Arena as a home game of Galatasaray on Thursday, 2 June, at 19:30 CEST.

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