Anadolu Efes scored a key victory against Real Madrid, winning 94-84 in the EuroLeague Round 2 showdown. Despite facing a significant rebounding disadvantage, Efes capitalized on Madrid’s turnovers and excelled at the free-throw line, energizing their home crowd in Istanbul.
Dominant Second Quarter Shifts Momentum
Real Madrid initially showed promise, narrowly leading 29-27 at the end of the first quarter, largely thanks to contributions from Facundo Campazzo and Nick Smith Jr. However, Anadolu Efes mounted a strong response in the second quarter, outscoring Madrid 26-12. Dario Saric played a pivotal role, scoring effectively from various positions, while Mike James connected on a crucial three-pointer, and Matthew Strazel found his rhythm beyond the arc.
By halftime, Efes had established a comfortable double-digit lead, controlling the tempo of the game for nearly 32 minutes. Although Madrid made a competitive push in the third quarter—winning it 24-19 through Campazzo’s aggressive drives and Chuma Okeke’s outside shooting—they could not fully erase the deficit. Efes regained their composure in the fourth quarter, finishing strong with disciplined plays and clinching the frame with a 22-19 score.
Turnovers Create Opportunities
Despite being out-rebounded 41-26, Anadolu Efes managed to generate scoring opportunities by forcing 21 turnovers from Real Madrid, along with securing 11 steals. This discrepancy allowed Efes to maintain a higher number of field goal attempts—69 versus 58 for Madrid—despite their struggles on the boards. The defensive pressure from Efes was evident, continuously disrupting Madrid’s offense.
Campazzo and fellow guard Theo Maledon combined for nine turnovers, significantly hampering Madrid’s effectiveness, while Edy Tavares provided a solid anchor on defense. The overall effort from Anadolu Efes allowed them to execute the longest scoring streak of the game, an 11-0 run, showcasing their defensive prowess.
Shooting Precision Makes the Difference
From a shooting perspective, Anadolu Efes finished with a 46% success rate (32-of-69), slightly trailing Real Madrid’s 48% (28-of-58). However, Efes excelled from beyond the arc, converting 40% of their three-point attempts (10-of-25), while Madrid struggled at just 35% (9-of-26). The most significant margin came from the free-throw line, where Efes converted an impressive 20 of 22 attempts (91%), compared to Madrid’s 19 of 22 (86%).
Although Madrid excelled at two-point shooting, achieving 59% efficiency, the number of attempts—only 32—was limited due to their turnover issues. Efes effectively balanced their offensive game, converting 22 of 44 two-point attempts and creating openings for outside shots.
Balanced Scoring Key for Efes
Anadolu Efes exhibited a well-rounded scoring effort, with PJ Dozier leading the charge with 18 points. Strazel contributed significantly with 14 points and four assists, rounding out an impressive night at the free-throw line. Other notable performances included Jordan Loyd and Mike James, who each added 12 points, and Saric, who chipped in with 10 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
Real Madrid’s contributions came primarily from their bench, with players like Andres Feliz and Okeke adding 10 and 11 points, respectively. Despite some individual brilliance, including Tavares shooting perfectly from the field, Real Madrid struggled as a unit, finishing with 24 fouls and allowing Efes to control the game. Ultimately, Anadolu Efes’s ability to leverage turnovers and maintain efficient scoring was crucial in their victory over Real Madrid.