Vasilije Micic sinks Real with 29 to strengthen Efes position in the Top 8 / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

In an important battle between two high-powered teams, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (14-10) welcomed Real Madrid (18-7) at Sinan Erdem Dome with record-breaking 15,092 spectators in the stands.

Player of the Game EFF 29 Vasilije Micic Points 29 Accuracy 9-17 Rebounds 3 Assists 6

The reigning EuroLeague champions did not upset the huge crowd behind, winning a nail-biter against the Royal club 93-90 (19-21, 25-30, 28-28, 21-11).

At the start of the last period, both teams were trading buckets. Adrien Moerman's triple and Vasilije Micic's layup cut Anadolu Efes' deficit to a minimal (85-86). Gabriel Deck responded (88-85) but Micic poured in a three-pointer to tie the game at 88.

Gabriel Deck hit another jumper, while Elijah Bryant shot from behind the arc gave Efes their first lead of the duel (91-90) with 2:07 to play. That was not the end. Vasilije Micic stole the ball and scored an easy basket on the fast-break attack (93-90).

The Turkish powerhouse got a couple of crucial stops in a row. They could close the game with 9 seconds left on the clock but Shane Larkin missed the comfortable layup.

Nevertheless, Rudy Fernandez's last shot from deep was off the mark and Anadolu Efes won the hard-fought battle.

Vasilije Micic put on a show for the Turks, accumulating 29 points (6/11 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 8/8 FT), 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 29 PIR.

"First of all, I think this was very important for us, because more than 15,000 supporters helped us so much to come back, especially in the last quarter. We improved the defense, we stole the ball, and accelerated the tempo.

As I said at halftime, we needed to improve the tempo, because Real Madrid played slow-down, they made switches, and we needed to steal some balls. We needed to play aggressively. Finally, in the last quarter, we were successful to do this," Ergin Ataman said post-game.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul / Schedule

Zalgiris Kaunas Anadolu Efes Istanbul71-85 Anadolu Efes Istanbul Real Madrid93-90 Anadolu Efes Istanbul AX Armani Exchange MilanThu17:30 Anadolu Efes Istanbul FC Bayern Munich03-2915:30

For the losing side, Gabriel Deck played the whole 40 minutes. He posted a double-double with 23 points (9/13 2PT, 1/2 2PT, 2/2 FT), 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 31 PIR.

"A close game, like we saw. I think we played very solid in certain moments. But in the end, it was about late decisions. They hit important shots in the end, and they won the game," spoke Pablo Laso after the tough defeat.

Powered by Rudy Fernandez's triples, Real opened up the second quarter with a 10-2 run to gain a double-digit lead (31-21). The duo of Guerschon Yabusele and Gabriel Deck took over the leadership role from Fernandez (44-31) but Vasilije Micic had his own arguments.

The Serbian guard initiated an 11-0 spurt, while Anadolu Efes cut their deficit to 2 points (42-44). The success was temporary, as Blancos finished the first half on a high note, going into the break with plus seven (51-44).

Gabriel Deck-led Real not only finished the first half strongly but kicked off the second one too (60-48). Though, like in the second quarter, Anadolu Efes came back. Shane Larkin gained momentum and teams were separated by only 4 points (69-73).

Thomas Heurtel and Adam Hanga's shots from deep pushed Real in front again before the last 10 minutes of the match (79-72).

Fabien Causeur, Jeffery Taylor, and Alberto Abalde did not play for Real, while Chris Singleton missed the game for the hosts.

Anadolu Efes: Vasilije Micic 29 (6 AST), Adrien Moerman 18 (6 REB), Shane Larkin 12, Tibor Pleiss 11.

Real: Gabriel Deck 23 (10 REB), Guerschon Yabusele 20 (5 REB, 5 AST), Adam Hanga 14.

Highlights

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