Vasilije Micic sinks game-winning free throws to help Efes edge out Zvezda / News - Basketnews.com

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

Anadolu Efes Istanbul (9-8) sneaked past Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (7-10) 84-83 (31-21, 12-25, 22-22, 19-15) to get their third Turkish Airlines EuroLeague win in a row.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Tibor Pleiss Points 23 Accuracy 8-11 Rebounds 7 Assists 0

After an even third quarter, Vasilije Micic's 2+1 play leveled the game (68-68) at the start of the fourth quarter.

Both clubs were trading buckets but Stefan Lazarevic hit a three-point shot while Nikola Kalinic converted 2+1 play and Zvezda's advantage reached 6 points (80-74) with 4 minutes to go.

Nate Wolters added one free throw (81-74) while teams stopped on the offensive end. Vasilije Micic terminated the silence and converted two free shots from the line (76-81).

The reigning MVP continued his solo performance, draining two free throws more (78-81) and adding a layup (80-81). However, Nikola Kalinic came for the rescue, nailing a difficult fade-away jumper (83-80) with 15.7 seconds to play.

Micic cut Anadolu Efes' deficit to one point again (82-83) while the game clock was showing 10.9 seconds left. On the other end, Kalinic was fouled but missed two shots from the line.

Micic got the ball into his hands and settled matters himself, penetrating the rim and provoking the foul with 0.9 to go. The Serbian guard nailed both shots (84-83), while Kalinic's throw from the own side was off the mark and Efes celebrated a tough W.

Vasilije Micic scored 10 consecutive points in the crunch time, finishing the game with 21 points (4/5 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 7/7 FT), 2 turnovers, 7 drawn fouls, and 21 PIR.

Tibor Pleiss had a great match on the offensive end too, registering 23 points (3/6 2PT, 5/5 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 3 drawn fouls, and 27 PIR.

Nikola Kalinic guided the path for Zvezda, accumulating 20 points (4/8 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 3/5 FT), 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 4 drawn fouls, and 17 PIR.

Anadolu Efes created a substantial 12-point lead (28-16) in the first quarter behind James Anderson and Tibor Pleiss' successful stretch.

Though, Crvena Zvezda opened the second period with a 9-0 run and cut their deficit to the minimal (30-31). Nate Wolters and Branko Lazic continued to push the gas pedal and Red Star was in front by 3 points (46-43), going into the break.

Anadolu Efes: Tibor Pleiss 23, Vasilije Micic 21, Rodrigue Beaubois 10, James Anderson, Elijah Bryant 8, Shane Larkin 8 (4 REB, 9 AST, 20 PIR).

Crvena Zvezda: Nikola Kalinic 20 (5 AST), Branko Lazic 13, Nate Wolters 12 (5 REB, 5 AST), Nikola Ivanovic 9 (4 REB), Ognjen Kuzmic 7 (11 REB, 17 PIR), Stefan Lazarevic 7 (5 REB).

Highlights

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