Ergin Ataman on Sloukas's buzzer-beaters: 'The baklava he ate in Turkey helped him' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Basketnews.lt/D.Lukšta Credit Basketnews.lt/D.Lukšta

Olympiacos Piraeus forced Anadolu Efes Istanbul to their 12th defeat in the EuroLeague season thanks to a buzzer-beating three-point shot from Kostas Sloukas.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Konstantinos Sloukas Points 23 Accuracy 8-16 Rebounds 5 Assists 6

That was Sloukas's second game-winner in the season, after his jump-shot over Jan Vesely's extended hands against Fenerbahce at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

Asked whether the Greek guard's tenure in Turkey helped him make those shots, the guests' head coach Ergin Ataman joked that the reason was Sloukas eating a lot of baklava, a famous Turkish pastry, while he was playing with Fenerbahce.

"I think that the Turkish baklava that he ate in Turkey gave him the chance to beat the Turkish teams at the buzzer," smiling Ataman said at the post-game presser while delivering one of his colorful quotes.

The Turkish coach was satisfied with his team's overall performance, despite the loss.

"I think that except the first quarter, we played a good game," he said.

"We only gave up 26 points in the first quarter. We missed some open shots, but it was a good game for both teams who had the chance to break the game. Congratulations to Sloukas and to Olympiacos. It was a good win for them."

In the absence of Thomas Walkup, Sloukas played 39 minutes.

"When there's only one point guard, it's easier to be a leader. He made a good effort and he's shooting well from the three," Ataman commented.

"His two-point shooting is lower. But he made the last shot and that's the most important," he concluded.

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