Euroleague, game-3: Efes beats Milan 77-65, Thursday game-4

Shane Larkin gets his hands on Game-3 with 11 points in the last quarter. It is the blaze of the champion that burns the resistance of Milan and Rodriguez, called 27 ‘on the pitch to break in ahead of the decisive game-4 on Thursday when Olimpia will no longer be able to spare themselves.

Efes-Milan 77-65

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Larkin launches a 16-2 in the last 3 minutes that set fire to the Efes arena with 15,000 Caldisism fans. To exorcise the difficult moment in terms of injuries, Messina immediately ranks Rodriguez in the first quintet, recovered in extremis, next to Bentil who must play Melli, who remained at home with Delaney. The colleague Ataman instead promotes the German birch Pleiss, a veteran of many teams, a 2.18 hitting from three. The Chacho seems tonic, puts in two quick baskets, on the other side he reciprocates with the interests the bomber Micic, mvp of the past season. Efes made the first push with the triples of Micic and Pleiss: a 14-0 came out that launches the hosts on +10. Milan misses a lot from three, Grant takes care of it with two triples to fix the score and statistics, approaching Olimpia but the first quarter ends at 25-17. Second quarter with Rodriguez still inside, Shields does not heat up but Milan is there: 29-28. A bad pass by Chacho causes an unsportsmanlike foul by Daniels which yields 5 points for Efes. Another break for Istanbul that with a 13-2 stretches again to + 14 (42-28), all this without the support of Larkin, very secluded, who signs 2 points from the line while Olimpia is back in contact with a Hall’s blaze. At the break it is 42-35 with Milan having 23% from three. Recovery that lights up on the triples of Rodriguez and Larkin, at his first basket in action. Now Efes seems less sure of itself because coach Messina’s defense grows with blows. Larkin, however, decides to enter the scene, another triple for him. The tension rises, Milan reaches -1 (57-56) but the last basket of the third quarter is by Bryant for 59-56. Out of breath fourth quarter for both teams. Milan overtakes with Hines by touch but Micic reciprocates with class. Each possession is a battle. Rodriguez returns in the 35th minute, Tarczewski does a great job at offensive rebound, feeding many second shots, so Hall from three makes 61-63. Moerman immediately impacts then Larkin unleashes his show. For Milan there is no more. The 2-1 Efes is served. Ataman’s team now has a match ball at home.

Ephes Micic 20, Pleiss 17, Larkin 16
Milan Hall 16, Grant 11, Rodriguez 9