Hapoel Tel Aviv Stuns Anadolu Efes with Dominant Second-Half Performance in Istanbul

Date

2025-10-03

Venue

Round

Round 2

Attendance

2788

Team Leaders

Hapoel Tel Aviv Claims Road Victory with Strong Second-Half Surge

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv delivered an impressive away performance at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, securing an 87-81 victory in Round 2 of EuroLeague action. The Israeli side showed resilience and determination in front of 2,788 spectators, overcoming an early deficit to dominate the second half and claim their second consecutive win in the competition.

After a closely contested first half that saw Anadolu Efes holding a slim 46-35 lead, Hapoel Tel Aviv completely transformed the game with an exceptional second-half performance. The visitors outscored the Turkish powerhouse 52-35 after the break, with particularly dominant third and fourth quarters that sealed their fate. The 26-13 third quarter proved to be the turning point, as Hapoel's defense tightened considerably while their offense found its rhythm.

Jordan Loyd Leads Efes Despite Loss

Jordan Loyd was the standout performer for the home side, coming off the bench to deliver a game-high 25 points in an impressive efficiency rating of 29. The American guard was perfect from the free-throw line, converting all 10 attempts, and added three three-pointers to his tally. Loyd also contributed four rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes of play, showing why he remains one of Efes's most reliable scoring options in crucial moments.

Ercan Osmani provided solid support with 16 points and seven rebounds, displaying efficiency with a 6-of-9 shooting performance from the field. The Turkish big man also added a steal and a block, finishing with an efficiency rating of 23. His presence in the paint was felt throughout the game, though it ultimately wasn't enough to prevent the home defeat.

Isaia Cordinier and Shane Larkin each contributed 13 points for Anadolu Efes. However, Larkin struggled with efficiency, shooting just 5-of-13 from the field and posting a concerning minus-17 plus-minus rating. The American point guard's difficulties in creating consistent offense proved costly as Hapoel's defense intensified in the second half.

Balanced Scoring Powers Hapoel's Victory

Hapoel Tel Aviv's success came through a well-distributed scoring effort that saw multiple players reach double figures. Antonio Blakeney led the visitors with 17 points off the bench, displaying clutch free-throw shooting by converting 10 of 12 attempts. His ability to get to the line and convert under pressure was instrumental in maintaining Hapoel's momentum during crucial stretches of the game.

Elijah Bryant was highly efficient for Hapoel, scoring 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field. The American guard added one rebound, one assist, and one steal while playing solid two-way basketball. His efficiency rating of 12 reflected his impactful performance in 29 minutes of action, as he consistently made smart decisions with the ball.

Dan Oturu dominated the paint for Hapoel, recording a double-double performance with 12 points and nine rebounds. The American center was particularly effective on the offensive glass, grabbing five offensive rebounds that led to crucial second-chance opportunities. His plus-17 rating was the second-highest among Hapoel players, demonstrating his impact on both ends of the floor.

Micic Orchestrates from Point Guard

Vasilije Micic, the experienced Serbian point guard, controlled the tempo for Hapoel with nine points, six assists, and five rebounds. Despite shooting just 2-of-8 from the field, Micic's playmaking ability and court vision were vital in creating opportunities for his teammates. His plus-7 rating indicated his positive influence on the game, particularly in organizing Hapoel's devastating second-half offensive surge.

Ish Wainright provided valuable contributions with 11 points on an efficient 3-of-4 shooting performance, including two three-pointers. The American forward also grabbed five rebounds and posted an impressive plus-19 rating, the highest among all players on the court. His ability to stretch the floor and hit open shots proved crucial in keeping Anadolu Efes's defense honest.

Efes's Struggles from Beyond the Arc

One of the defining factors in Anadolu Efes's defeat was their poor three-point shooting performance. The home team connected on just 5-of-20 attempts from downtown, a mere 25 percent conversion rate that left significant points on the board. Isaia Cordinier particularly struggled from distance, making only one of six three-point attempts, while Nick Weiler-Babb went 0-for-4 from beyond the arc.

The German guard's overall shooting struggles were emblematic of Efes's offensive difficulties. Despite contributing three assists and grabbing three rebounds, Weiler-Babb finished with just four points on 1-of-6 shooting, including his 0-for-4 performance from three-point range. The team's inability to capitalize on open looks from distance allowed Hapoel to pack the paint defensively without fear of being punished from the perimeter.

Bench Production Makes the Difference

Chris Jones added nine points for Hapoel off the bench, though he needed 11 attempts to get there. Collin Malcolm contributed six points in 26 minutes, providing energy and defensive intensity that helped turn the tide in the second half. The depth of Hapoel's roster proved to be a significant advantage, as they received quality minutes from multiple bench contributors.

For Anadolu Efes, Kai Jones provided eight points and six rebounds in 21 minutes before fouling out. The Bahamian center was perfect from the field, converting all four of his two-point attempts, but his foul trouble limited his impact in the crucial final period. Rolands Smits came off the bench to add two points, two rebounds, and one assist in 14 minutes, but the Latvian forward also struggled with foul trouble, picking up four personals.

Defensive Intensity Defines Second Half

The transformation in Hapoel Tel Aviv's defensive performance after halftime was remarkable. After allowing 46 points in the first half, they held Anadolu Efes to just 35 points over the final 20 minutes. The third quarter was particularly impressive, as Hapoel limited the home team to just 13 points while scoring 26 themselves, a 13-point swing that essentially decided the contest.

Hapoel's ability to force turnovers and contest shots improved dramatically in the second half. They disrupted Efes's offensive rhythm, making it difficult for Shane Larkin to penetrate and create easy baskets. The defensive pressure forced the home team into difficult shots and prevented them from establishing any offensive flow.

Free Throw Shooting Proves Crucial

Both teams were relatively efficient from the free-throw line, but Hapoel Tel Aviv's 29-of-34 performance (85.3 percent) compared favorably to Anadolu Efes's 20-of-23 (87 percent). The difference came in the volume of free-throw attempts, as Hapoel's aggressive drives to the basket earned them 11 more attempts from the charity stripe. Antonio Blakeney alone attempted 12 free throws, converting 10 of them, while Jordan Loyd was perfect on 10 attempts for Efes.

The ability to get to the free-throw line reflected Hapoel's assertiveness in attacking the basket during the second half. Rather than settling for contested jumpers, the Israeli side consistently drove into the paint, forcing Efes's defenders into foul trouble and earning valuable trips to the line that helped maintain their lead down the stretch.