Anadolu Efes Istanbul bounced back from Wednesday’s 118-88 loss to Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv by beating EuroLeague leader Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 83-68 at home on Friday, October 30. Cam Payne scored 14 points and dished out eight assists as Efes improved to 4-5, while Panathinaikos dropped to 7-2.
Efes built its lead through fast-break opportunities and efficient two-point shooting. The hosts made 13 of their first 14 attempts inside the arc, but struggled from three-point range, converting only one of their first 11 shots from beyond the arc.
Panathinaikos committed 10 turnovers in the first half and struggled to establish an offensive rhythm. Nigel Hayes-Davis scored 11 points before halftime, but the visitors still trailed 45-37 at the break.
The Greens continued to give the ball away after halftime, allowing Payne to extend Efes’ advantage with a three-pointer. Panathinaikos responded through Mathias Lessort and Kendrick Nunn, who combined for 14 points in a three-minute stretch to cut the deficit to 66-65 midway through the fourth quarter.
Efes answered with a decisive 14-0 run, including three three-pointers from Payne, to put the game beyond reach. Payne finished with 14 points and eight assists, while Collin Malcolm and Bruno Fernando scored 15 points apiece. Fernando was perfect from the field, making all six of his two-point attempts.
Dario Saric added 11 points and 12 rebounds for Efes, which shot 63.9% on two-point attempts and recorded 23 assists. The hosts also limited Panathinaikos to 45.7% shooting on two-pointers and forced 16 turnovers.
Nunn led Panathinaikos with 17 points, while Hayes-Davis finished with 11. Lessort recorded 11 rebounds but scored five points on 2-of-6 shooting.
The victory moved Efes to 14th place in the standings, while Panathinaikos remained first despite suffering its second defeat of the season.
Efes hosts Paris Basketball on Thursday, November 5, while Panathinaikos visits Real Madrid on Wednesday, November 4.
