With this result, Anadolu Efes is up 1-0 in the series.

Starting the match with Doğuş, Gordon, Cedi, Savanovic and Kerem, Anadolu Efes got its first points by Savanovic’s three pointer. Ahead 5-4 with Doğuş’s layup towards the end of the second minute, Anadolu Efes was leading 9-6 at the fourth minute with Kerem and Doğuş’s points. Making it 14-11 in the fifth minute with Savanovic and Gordon, the team was ahead 16-11 at the TV timeout after Savanovic’s field goal. After the timeout, with Cedi’s accurate free-throw followed by two three-pointers from Birkan and one from Gordon, Anadolu Efes was having a nine-point lead at the end of the first 10 minutes: 26-17.

Starting the second quarter with Stephens and Planinic’s points, Anadolu Efes made it 30-20 in the 11th minute. After Kerem’s spectacular dunk, the team continued scoring with Planinic and Bjelica, increasing the lead to 15 points with 4.30 left to the end of the second quarter: 43-28. Leading 47-34 entering the last three minutes of the half with Doğuş and Bjelica’s points, Anadolu Efes was ahead 49-38 at the halftime following Gordon’s field goal.

Opening the score sheet for Anadolu Efes in the second half, Bjelica made it 55-43 at 21.30 with two consecutive three-pointers. Planinic earned the 57th point, followed by a three-pointer by Birkan, as the team was ahead 60-49 in the 23rd minute. Among the high scorers of the game, Bjelica scored another three points through an and-one, making it 65-51 at the 25th minute when the opponent took a timeout. Ahead 67-56 at the 26th minute with Cedi’s layup after the timeout, the team responded to the opponent’s points with Birkan’s three-pointers towards to end of the quarter: 73-61. Finding four more points with Bjelica and Doğuş in the remaining duration, Anadolu Efes was leading 78-64 while entering the last 10 minutes of the match.

With a three-pointer to enter the fourth quarter by our competent player Savanovic, the lead increased to 17 points: 81-64. As the opponent had a scoring run to make it 81-71 at 32.30, Gordon made his appearance in scoring, putting the team up 88-74 at the 35th minute. Leading 92-76 in the last 3.30 with Planinic and Bjelica’s field goals, Anadolu Efes maintained the lead in the remaining duration and with Bjelica, Stephens and Planinic’s accurate free throws to seal the game, and left the court victorious 96-90.

The second match of the series will be played at Izmir Karşıyaka Arena at 18.00, on Thursday, 15 May. Anadolu Efes will make its way to the Semi Finals if it manages to snatch the victory from this match.