Anadolu Efes and Pinar Karsiyaka shares the leadership position

The round was exceptionally exciting as three games ended with a tiny margin. The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with derby games, favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Anadolu Efes as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Anadolu Efes smashed 6th ranked Galatasaray in Istanbul 104-80. Anadolu Efes made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Shane Larkin (180-92, college: Miami, FL) who helped to win the game recording 25 points. Croatian swingman Krunoslav Simon (197-85) contributed with 14 points and 5 assists for the winners. Anadolu Efes' coach Ergin Ataman felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. New Zealand guard Tai Webster (193-95, college: Nebraska) replied with 20 points for Galatasaray. Anadolu Efes (9-1) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Pinar Karsiyaka. Galatasaray at the other side keeps the sixth place with four games lost. Galatasaray will play next round against strong Bandirma trying to get back on the winning streak. Anadolu Efes will try to continue on its current victory against fourteenth ranked Afyon Bld in Afyonkarahisar.

An interesting game for Pinar Karsiyaka (9-1) which hosted in Karsiyaka their biggest opponent Fenerbahce (8-2). Third ranked Pinar Karsiyaka managed to get a 11-point victory 68-57. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Fenerbahce. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American power forward Jordan Morgan (203-91, college: Michigan) scored 19 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and DJ Kennedy chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Greek point guard Kostas Sloukas (197-90) responded with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Pinar Karsiyaka have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Anadolu Efes. Fenerbahce at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with Bandirma. Pinar Karsiyaka will play against Tofas (#5) in Bursa in the next round.

Fenerbahce will play at home against OGM Orman and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An interesting game was also surprising road defeat of 5th ranked Tofas in a game in Istanbul versus Darussafaka (#8) 69-61. Bonzie Colson-Jr notched a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds by Devin Williams did not help to save the game for Tofas. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Darussafaka (5-5) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Bursaspor. Loser Tofas keeps the fifth position with three games lost. Darussafaka's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Istanbul Besiktas.

A very interesting game took place in Buyukcekmece. It ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 11th ranked Turk Telekom (3-7) to fourteenth ranked Buyukcekmece (3-7) 91-90 in the fight for the twelfth place. Andrew Andrews fired 26 points and 6 assists for the winners. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Buyukcekmece moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Turk Telekom and Afyon. Turk Telekom lost fifth consecutive game. Buyukcekmece's next round opponent will be Acibadem (#15) in Istanbul.

Important game to mention about took place in Ankara. Twelfth ranked OGM Orman (4-6) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 11th ranked Afyon Bld (3-7) 77-76 on Sunday evening. It was a very good performance for Elmedin Kikanovic who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 5 rebounds. Afyon Bld's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. OGM Orman moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Besiktas and Gaziantep. Loser Afyon Bld dropped to the twelfth position with seven games lost. OGM Orman will face higher ranked Fenerbahce (#4) in Istanbul in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Afyon Bld will play at home against the league's leader Anadolu Efes (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.

Other games in round 10 were not that significant. Bottom-ranked ITU BB was beaten by Besiktas on the road 83-80. Bandirma won against Bahcesehir on its own court 82-68. Gaziantep outscored Bursaspor in a road game 106-87.

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04.12.2019