Micic's buzzer-beater sends Efes to the EuroLeague final / News - Basketnews.com

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Anadolu Efes Istanbul advanced to their back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague final by defeatingOlympiacos Piraeusin a tough semifinal fight at Stark Arena,77-74(18-21, 24-22, 24-20, 11-11).

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The reigning champs will meet one of the Spanish powerhouses in the ultimate match of the competition, either FC Barcelona or Real Madrid. While today's loss sends the team coached by Georgios Bartzokas to the third-place game, which will open Saturday's schedule at the Stark Arena.

The real drama began in the last quarter. It was all about defense. Both clubs couldn't score a single bucket for more than four minutes.

Efes maintained a 3-point lead (73-70) with 2 minutes remaining. Shaquielle McKissic missed a driving layup, while Larkin made just one of two free throws (74-70) with 1:16 to go.

Kostas Sloukas answered with a pair of free throws and cut the deficit to 2 with one minute remaining. Adrien Moerman missed an open three, while Hassan Martin tied the game with a driving layup (74-74) with 20 seconds remaining.

The last possession belonged to last year's MVP Vasilije Micic who sank a last second 3-pointer to send Efes to the EuroLeague final.

"Honestly, I wasn't sure who was in front of me," Micic said on his game-winning shot. "The moment was so long for me. Vezenkov played really good defense today. Unfortunately, he jumped on my fake shot. I moved a little bit and took a shot."

Shane Larkin was the top performer for the winners, accumulating 21 points (2/6 2PT, 4/12 3PT, 5/6 FT), 7 assists, and 21 PIR.

"Coach wanted to go iso on top with Vasa," Larkin described the final possession to BasketNews. "He was playing pretty well, he wanted the ball, he's experienced in those moments and we trusted him."

Player of the Game EFF 21 Shane Larkin Points 21 Accuracy 6-18 Rebounds 0 Assists 7

"He got his shot, let it go, and knocked it down. We expect those things from Vasa – he's an MVP, Final Four MVP, and top scorer of the league for a reason. He delivered it tonight for us," Larkin added.

On the opposing side, Shaquielle McKissic was the high-scorer for Olympiacos, ending with 12 points (3/4 2PT, 0/2 3 PT, 6/6 FT) and 3 rebounds.

Olympiacos started the game better, and after Moustapha Fall and Kostas Papanikolau's buckets earned themselves a quick 14-7 lead.

However, powered by Bryant Dunston, Shane Larkin, and Elijah Bryant's triples, the reigning champs arranged an 11-0 run to retake the lead (18-14).

That was not over. Kostas Sloukas and Papanikolau responded with their own 7-0 run that let the Greeks retake 3 points lead (21-18) after the first tally.

The Greek side controlled the game for the biggest part of the second quarter and managed to create a 7-point lead (39-32).

Larkin let the reigning champs stay close in the game scoring 10 points in the second period alone, and Efes came back within fighting distance before going into the break (42-43).

Efes came into the third quarter with great energy. Inspired by three triples by Bryant, the Turkish giants ran away from their opponents and created a double-digit lead (62-51).

The Reds didn't give up and, after solid plays from Dorsey and Vezenkov, came within 3 points (63-66) at the start of the fourth period.

Anadolu Efes were forced to play without Krunoslav Simon and Dogus Balbay.

Anadolu Efes: Shane Larkin 21 (7 AST), Elijah Bryant 16 (6 REB), Vasilije Micic 15 (9 AST, 6 REB), Bryant Dunston 12.

Olympiacos: Shaquielle McKissic 12, Kostas Sloukas 11 (6 AST, 4 REB), Hassan Martin 11, Tyler Dorsey 11 (4 REB), Kostas Papanikolaou 10 (4 REB).

Highlights

Micic and Larkin react to crazy game winner against Olympiacos

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