Published on October 14, 2025 at 08:15 PM by driblio.net
Date
2025-10-14
Venue
Round
Round 4
Attendance
10540
In a thrilling EuroLeague Round 4 encounter, Anadolu Efes Istanbul demonstrated remarkable resilience to overcome Olympiacos Piraeus 82-78 at a packed arena in front of 10,540 spectators. The Turkish powerhouse erased a significant deficit in the second half, turning what appeared to be a comfortable home victory into a statement road win that showcased their championship pedigree.
The game began with both teams trading blows in an intense opening quarter, with Olympiacos edging ahead 28-25 behind efficient shooting and aggressive play. The home side maintained their momentum through the second period, taking a 51-45 advantage into halftime. However, the narrative of this contest would be written in the final twenty minutes, where Efes found another gear while Olympiacos inexplicably stalled offensively.
The turning point came in the second half when Olympiacos managed just 16 points in the third quarter and a disastrous 11 points in the final period. The home team's offensive struggles proved catastrophic, as they shot poorly from the field and failed to generate quality looks against Efes's intensifying defensive pressure. What had been a confident, flowing attack in the first half became hesitant and disjointed when it mattered most.
Tyson Ward tried valiantly to keep Olympiacos competitive, finishing with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and a team-high 7 assists in an efficiency rating of 18. His court vision and ability to get to the free-throw line kept the home side afloat during difficult stretches. Sasha Vezenkov added 12 points and 7 rebounds, drawing fouls effectively and converting 8 of 9 free throws, though his shooting from beyond the arc was off-target at 0-for-3.
Tyler Dorsey contributed 11 points including three three-pointers, but his minus-12 plus-minus rating told the story of the struggles when he was on the court. Frank Ntilikina added 9 points with 2 steals, showing defensive intensity but also committing 3 turnovers at crucial moments. The Greek side's bench production was limited, with Alec Peters providing the brightest spark with 14 points on an impressive 5-of-6 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.
For Anadolu Efes Istanbul, veteran point guard Shane Larkin orchestrated the comeback with masterful precision. Playing over 31 minutes, Larkin finished with 18 points, 3 assists, and a steal, hitting all four of his three-point attempts when his team needed scoring most. His ability to control tempo and make decisive plays in crunch time proved the difference between victory and defeat. Despite a negative plus-minus of -11, his impact on the game's critical possessions cannot be understated.
The revelation of the night was Cole Swider, who came off the bench to deliver a spectacular performance. The American forward exploded for 20 points on just 10 field goal attempts, connecting on 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. His efficiency rating of 20 and plus-12 rating highlighted his devastating impact during his 14 minutes of action. Swider's ability to provide instant offense gave Efes the spark they desperately needed to complete their comeback.
Isaia Cordinier was another key contributor, posting 10 points and 7 rebounds with a plus-9 rating. His two-way play helped stabilize Efes during the crucial third quarter when they began to seize control. Ercan Osmani added 12 points on efficient 5-of-8 shooting before fouling out, while PJ Dozier provided valuable minutes off the bench with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
The fourth quarter was a defensive masterclass from Efes, holding Olympiacos to just 11 points while scoring 15 themselves to secure the four-point victory. Nick Weiler-Babb didn't score but made his presence felt with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals while playing tenacious defense. His plus-4 rating in a scoreless performance demonstrated the value of his defensive contributions.
Georgios Papagiannis provided solid minutes in the paint with 3 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks, helping control the defensive glass. Kai Jones came off the bench to grab 7 rebounds in just over 10 minutes, including 2 offensive boards that led to second-chance opportunities. Jordan Loyd struggled shooting at 1-for-10 but contributed with his defensive energy, recording 2 steals and a plus-9 rating.
For Olympiacos, Nikola Milutinov was effective in his limited minutes with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and a block, but the home team couldn't find enough scoring punch when their offense stagnated. Donta Hall provided energy off the bench with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, showing a plus-10 rating, but it wasn't enough to prevent the collapse.
This victory marks a significant statement from Anadolu Efes Istanbul, who bounced back from their recent loss to Partizan with a character-building road win against one of EuroLeague's most formidable home teams. The ability to win ugly and grind out victories when shots aren't falling demonstrates the mental toughness this team possesses. Their defense in the second half was suffocating, forcing Olympiacos into uncomfortable situations and capitalizing on every mistake.
For Olympiacos Piraeus, this represents a concerning defeat after their strong start to the season. Managing only 27 points in the second half at home is simply unacceptable at this level. Head coach Georgios Bartzokas will need to address the offensive stagnation and mental fragility that allowed such a comfortable position to evaporate. The loss of rhythm and confidence in the final twenty minutes suggests deeper issues that must be resolved quickly.
The game statistics reveal the story: Efes shot better from three-point range and controlled crucial possessions down the stretch. While Olympiacos won the overall rebounding battle and had fewer turnovers, they couldn't convert these advantages into points when it mattered most. The free-throw discrepancy also played a role, with both teams visiting the line frequently but Efes making their attempts count in clutch situations.
As the EuroLeague season progresses, this game will be remembered as a testament to Efes's championship experience and Olympiacos's need for greater mental fortitude in tight situations. The Turkish side showed why they remain one of Europe's elite teams, capable of winning in hostile environments through defensive discipline and timely shot-making. Both teams will take valuable lessons from this encounter as they continue their campaigns in Europe's premier basketball competition.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COLE SWIDER | EFS | 20 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | SHANE LARKIN | EFS | 18 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | ALEC PETERS | OLY | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| 4 | TYSON WARD | OLY | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 5 | SASHA VEZENKOV | OLY | 12 | 7 | 1 |
Anadolu Efes Istanbul defeated FC Bayern Munich 81-80 in a thrilling Round 31 encounter, with Jordan Loyd scoring 20 points and Cole Swider hitting the game-winning three-pointer with one second remaining. Efes overcame a 13-point halftime deficit behind a dominant third quarter, outscoring Bayern 27-19 to set up the dramatic finish.
Published on March 12, 2026 at 09:30 PM by driblio.net
AS Monaco defeated Olympiacos Piraeus 81-80 in a thrilling EuroLeague Round 31 clash at Salle Gaston Médecin. Matthew Strazel's two-pointer with four seconds remaining secured victory for Monaco after Olympiacos had erased an early deficit. Jaron Blossomgame shot perfectly (6-6) for Monaco while Nikola Milutinov recorded a double-double for the visitors.
Published on March 12, 2026 at 08:09 PM by driblio.net
Olympiacos Piraeus defeated Paris Basketball 104-87 in a dominant road performance. Tyler Dorsey led all scorers with 24 points while Alec Peters added 18. Evan Fournier contributed 17 points against his former country. Justin Robinson paced Paris with 18 points and nine assists, but the hosts couldn't overcome Olympiacos' balanced attack and superior execution.
Published on March 10, 2026 at 05:46 PM by driblio.net
