Stellar Shavon Shields pushes depleted Armani Milan past Efes, forces two games in Istanbul / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Roberto Finizio/Getty Images Credit Roberto Finizio/Getty Images

AX Armani Exchange Milan overcame their injury woes to beat reigning EuroLeague champs Anadolu Efes Istanbul 73-66 (19-17, 14-16, 20-19, 20-14) and tie the series at one win apiece.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Sergio Rodriguez Points 17 Accuracy 6-10 Rebounds 5 Assists 5

As if the injuries of Nicolo Melli,Luigi Datome andTrey Kell weren't enough, Ettore Messina saw Malcolm Delaney leave the court prematurely.

The game went down to the final stretch.

With one minute remaining and the score 69-66 for the hosts, Kyle Hines stopped airborne Vasilije Micic before the Serb could finish off his drive. Shavon Shields put the stamp on Milan's win scoring against Rodrigue Beaubois and drawing the foul. The Dane made the free-throw to excite fans in the Mediolanum Forum.

Shields finished the game with 21 points on 9/15 from the field, 2/5 free-throws, 8 rebounds and 2 assists for a PIR of 22. Sergio Rodriguez did his part with 17 points in 26 minutes, on 6/10 shooting, 5 rebounds and as many dimes.

Shane Larkin and Vasilije Micic spearheaded Efes with 19 and 18 points respectively. However, the two starting guards for Ergin Ataman's side went 5/20 from behind the arc and combined for only 6 assists for 7 turnovers. No other player from Efes went over 7 points.

Sergio Rodriguez was the author of 11 points in the first quarter to pace Armani Milan offensively after a very bad Game 1 by the Spaniard. The hosts found some options with Malcolm Delaney lending a helping hand creatively whenever needed.

As Game 1 protagonist Shane Larkin went scoreless in his first 11 minutes on the court, Ergin Ataman was happy to see Vasilije Micic do the job with 7 points in the first quarter. Milan increased their on-ball pressure, but that didn't change the EuroLeague champs' attitude.

AX Armani Exchange Milan / Schedule

AX Armani Exchange Milan Anadolu Efes Istanbul48-64 AX Armani Exchange Milan Anadolu Efes Istanbul73-66 Anadolu Efes Istanbul AX Armani Exchange MilanTue17:30 Anadolu Efes Istanbul AX Armani Exchange Milan04-2817:30

Efes found two open looks from behind the arc by Larkin and Singleton, while Bryant Dunston dominated the paint against Kyle Hines, giving his team defensive stability. The guests went up 33-27 midway through the second quarter and Milan were in dire need of a morale booster.

Messina's players got some points from the charity stripe, but it was Kaleb Tarczewski's late surge in the first half that essentially allowed them to even the game at 33. That was the best that the Italian team could do, given Efes's four-minute scoring drought.

Shavon Shields put the finishing touch in a prelude of his nine-point streak in the third quarter. Armani Milan got the upper hand, allowing only one bucket from Larkin in nine minutes across the second and third quarter.

The hosts' partial score came up to 18-4. Milan looked comfortable, however the game was far from over. From 47-39, things took another turn when Efes's backcourt got their way. Larkin and Micic helped the Turkish side to get back in contention.

Efes went up, (58-60), with 4'22' on the game clock. Shields and Larkin exchanged buckets but Bentil scored a big three to give Messina's team what they needed (64-63). Then, Hines and Shields took over.

AX Armani Exchange Milan: Shavon Shields 21 (9/15 FG, 2/5 FT, 8 REB), Sergio Rodriguez 17 (6/10 FG, 2/2 FT, 5 REB, 5 AST), Kaleb Tarczewski 7, Troy Daniels 6.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul: Shane Larkin 19 (5/11 FG, 6/7 FT, 2 AST), Vasilije Micic 18 (7/20 FG, 2/3 FT, 5 REB, 4 AST, 4 TO), Elijah Bryant 7, Tibor Pleiss 5.

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