Dee Bost leads unstoppable Galatasaray to road hammering of Anadolu Efes / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Media Credit FIBA Media

Galatasaray NEF extended their incredible unbeaten streak in the Turkish league (across regular season and playoffs) by forcing back-to-back EuroLeague champions Anadolu Efes Istanbul to a blowout home loss by 70-105 (16-18, 18-25, 17-36, 19-26) in Game 1 of their semifinal series.

Free throws this season

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

With this win, coach Andreas Pistiolis celebrated his tenth consecutive successful result on the Turkish team's bench. Prior to their impressive triumph over Efres, Galatasaray had beaten Besiktas, Karsiyaka, Yalova, Fenerbahce BEKO, Afyon, Tofas Bursa, Turk Telekom, in addition to sweeping their quarter-final series with FIBA Europe Cup winners Bahcesehir.

Two numbers are particularly illustrative of what happened at the Sinan Erdem. Galatasaray made 18 out of their 37 three-point attempts and Pistiolis' men also grabbed 18 offensive boards. Dee Bost and Isaiah Canaan combined for eleven three-pointers, as Galatasaray pounded the hosts 36-17 in the third quarter.

For Efes, Vasilije Micic scored only 4 points on 1/8 from the field in 18 minutes, while Larkin contributed 5 on 1/4 in 17 minutes. Thus, EgemeN Guven stayed on the court for 20 minutes, scoring 15 points.

After an almost even (16-18) first quarter, Galatasaray broke the game open in the second and third period, reducing Efes to a secondary role. With the exception of Chris Singleton, Efes couldn't get score from anyone. Ergin Ataman's decision to leave out Adrien Moerman and team captain Bryant Dunston didn't pay off, since Shane Larkin was scoreless and Vasilije Micic had only scored once in the first 26 minutes.

Dee Bost and Kerry Blackshearmade it 54-34 for the guests in the first two minutes of the second half, while Vasilije Micic was struggling offensively. Galatasaray made an 11-0 run that handed them a huge lead. When Melo Trimble decided to step up, there was no turning back for Galatasaray.

Ataman selected an all-Turkish lineup in the fourth quarter, but the deficit for his side was already out of any control. With five minutes remaining and the score at 59-98, Ergin Ataman called a time-out, but didn't tell his players anything. The Turkish coach stood on his seat with his arms crossed, manifesting his disappointment.

Petar Naumoski, one of the names who have left their mark on Turkish basketball, was at Sinan Erdem to watch the game.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul: Egemen Guven 15 (7/11 FG, 7 REB), Tibor Pleiss 11 (7 REB), Chris Singleton 10 (4/7 FG), Rodrigue Beaubois 8.

Galatasaray: Dee Bost 22 (8/14 FG, 6/11 3PT SHOTS, 3 REB, 3 AST), Isaiah Canaan 15 (5/9 FG, 5/6 3PT SHOTS, 4 REB, 3 AST), Kerry Blackshear 11 (5/7 FG, 7 REB), David Kravish 11 (7 REB), Sadik Kabaca 10 (10 REB).

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