Anadolu Efes was ahead 12-7 in the first 5 minutes with Larkin’s points from outside and Dunston’s from under the basket. Although Panathinaikos, who increased the tempo, equalized with 3 minutes before the end (12-12), the home team finished the first period 17-12 superior.
Panathinaikos was ahead 36-33 with 3 three-pointers in the 7th minute of the second period, which started with mutual baskets. The guest team went ahead 42-39 in the locker room after Anadolu Efes could not be effective in the remaining section.
Starting the third quarter with a tough defense, Anadolu Efes was ahead 47-44 in the 23rd minute. The home team, which made fewer mistakes in the period when the score advantage changed hands with mutual shots, was ahead 60-55 in the 27th minute. The third quarter ended with the navy blue-white team’s base 65-62.
Starting the last quarter better, Panathinaikos equalized in the 32nd minute (69-69) and took the lead in the 34th minute: 74-73. While both teams returned empty-handed from the long opposing attacks, Anadolu Efes again equalized with Micic with 2 minutes left: 76-76. The visiting team took the lead 80-78 with 1 minute and 10 seconds remaining. Dunston took one of his two free throws after a foul with 50 seconds remaining, reducing the lead to 1: 80-79. After White’s free throw, the visiting team made the score 81-79 with 14 seconds left. Anadolu Efes won the match 82-81 with Moerman’s three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left.
Anadolu Ephesus: 82 – Panathinaikos: 81
Salon: Sinan Erdem
Referees: Daniel Hierrezuelo (Spain), Sreten Radovic (Croatia), Milan Nedovic (Slovenia)
Anadolu Efes: Larkin 11, Micic 20, Anderson, Dunston 14, Moerman 15, Simon 10, Pleiss 4, Beaubois 4, Singleton, Bryant 4
Panathinaikos: Perry 3, Papapetrou 7, White 15, Evans 4, Sant-Roos 5, Kaselakis, Macon 17, Bochoridis 2, Kavvadas 8, Nedovic 20
1st Period: 17-12
Circuit: 39-42
3. Period: 65-62
