Anadolu Efes edge out a win against Bursaspor ahead of EuroLeague playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: IMAGO/Seskim Photo - Scanpix Credit IMAGO/Seskim Photo - Scanpix

With Vasilije Micic still absent, Anadolu Efes Istanbul earned a hard-fought victory against the Frutti Extra Bursaspor in the Turkish Basketball League (BSL) 86-83 (24-29, 27-12, 18-23, 20-15) ahead of EuroLeague playoffs.

3-pointers this season

37%9,9Points made:9,9Accuracy:37,1%Place in standings:1Record max:22Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Shane LarkinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

An unfamiliar face led the team to victory. Although Shane Larkin played more than 20 minutes, it was Bugrahan Tuncer who led the club in scoring with 20 points. He was both the highest-scoring and the most efficient player on the team with 17 PIR.

The match started out even between the teams. With both clubs trading baskets for the first couple of minutes, it was Bursaspor who took the early 9-point lead in the first quarter - 15-24.

The reigning EuroLeague champions did not want to let their home fans down and orchestrated a 19-3 run early in the second quarter to solidify their presence on the court.

Efes maintained a comfortable distance between themselves and their opponents throughout the third quarter and the majority of the fourth quarter. It looked as though the match would end that way, but Bursaspor thought otherwise.

With the score at 86-78, the players from Bursaspor went on a 7-0 run to put themselves within one with just over a minute to go. However, clutch free throws by Shane Larkin sealed the deal and Anadolu Efes went out victorious.

Bugrahan Tuncer led the team with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 20 PIR points. Erten Gazi added 14 points, while Shane Larkin went 8/9 from the free-throw line, including the game-winning free throws, and grabbed the final rebound of the match.

Bursaspor were led by Andrew Andrews who scored 19 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists for 26 PIR.

Efes: Bugrahan Tuncer 20 (4/10 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 5 AST), Erten Gazi 14.

Bursaspor: Andrew Andrews 19 (8 REB, 7 AST, 26 PIR), Onuralp Bitim 17 (8/10 2PT), David Dudzinski 17 (4/5 2PT, 3/5 3PT), Kevarrius Hayes 12 (5/8 2PT).

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