Itoudis vs. Ataman: game that ended Anadolu Efes dynasty / News - Basketnews.com

Fenerbahce used a very simple set that Anadolu Efes couldn't crack all night long. On top of that, we've seen a sluggish approach from back-to-back EuroLeague champions that led them throughout the season.

Credit: Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images, Dainius Lukšta Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images, Dainius Lukšta

The Istanbul derby gave us high-level basketball. But in the end, all of that was outshined by off-the-court storylines.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Nigel Hayes-Davis Points 26 Accuracy 9-13 Rebounds 4 Assists 4

Anadolu Efes Istanbul's loss eliminated the back-to-back champions from the playoff race, and Ergin Ataman's dramatic early exit, as well as the scuffle between Will Clyburn and Fenerbahce's bench, got all the headlines.

But how exactly Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul got this crucial win, bouncing back after last week's collapse against Baskonia? What did not work for Vasilije Micic, Shane Larkin, Clyburn, and co as the Efes dynasty collapsed after a season full of struggles?

In this article, we deep-dive into the tactical battle of Dimitris Itoudis and Ataman, the heroes for Fenerbahce, and the plays that kept Efes in the game for so long, even with their defense in a crisis for all 40 minutes.

Calathes Setting The Tone

Itoudis' squad got off to a hot start thanks to its main point guard - Nick Calathes - making Efes pay for every defensive risk.

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