THE FIRST HALF – Efes grabs three consecutive offensive rebounds in the very first possession and when the specialist Vasileiadis after two misses makes a three, it goes up 9-6. Olimpia responds with a 5-0 run generated by a short hook by Langford and aa transition three by Gentile. Some misses from the field and even from the line are keeping Olimpia from getting away and Efes is still there (17-14 EA7) after a first period of great defensive intensity with Samardo Samuels leading the scorers with 8. The second quarter starts with a dominating effort by both defenses. Two open threes by Melli are not lucky ones, but Jerrells with a triple extends the lead to six, 20-14. A great spurt by Jerrells, 8 consecutive points, gives Olimpia the biggest lead at 10, 25-15, but a couple of turnovers allow Efes to get back. Vasileiadis from three completes a 7-0 run forcing Coach Banchi to call a time-out in the middle of the second. Vasileiadis with another long two shrinks the margin to one, 25-24. But EA7 responds with Moss and Hackett and goes back up by eight before two foul shots from Batuk and a short jumper by Bjelica from the corner at the buzzer close the half with the 34-30 Milano’s lead.

THE SECOND HALF – The defense controls the second half in the beginning although it’s difficult to score. Melli scores on a three, Langford scores twice attacking the rim and using his lethal one on one play. The lead is 41-34 in the middle of the third, then it goes up by nine and down to five when a Samuels’s save becomes an assist to Balbay. Savanovic goes to work, Planinic scores his first basket of the night and the lead is down to two: 45-43 to enter the fourth. But the slump is continuing. Efes goes up early, with Savanovic and two foul shots by Bjelica, then a long two by Batuk. Langford responds, he scores on a drive, then with a three and it’s again down by three. At 50 Olimpia doesn’t move for a while, missing many shots, including from the line. But the defense is holding th fort, it forces a 24 seconds violations, a turnover, CJ Wallace – right up to then with no points – scores two free throws. The he makes a three and EA7 is again within one. On the ensuing possession Hackets makes his only three for the 58-56 Olimpia. Efes calls time-out, Vasileiadis tries to win with a three, he misses but Gonlum scores on a tip-in, tying the score with 12.5 seconds left. Efes elects to foul Hacket to get the last offensive possession. Daniel misses his first free throw but he makes the second. 59-58. Savanovic misses the short jumper, Langford grabs the rebound and draws a foul. He makes only the first foul shot. Planinic tries a desperation shot from three quarter and finds the luckiest three of his life.