Milan drops poker, overtakes Efes (75-71) and slingshot to the top of the standings with a clear path. It is Delaney (16 points and 5 assists), Mitoglou (9, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and Datome (11, with 3/5 of three) to lay out the European champions, clinging to the inspiration of Micic (17, but only 2 in the second half) and Larkin (13). "Great defense and great shots - the analysis of coach Messina -, I am especially happy for Datome who scored important baskets. We are 3-0 at home but our standings will be above all the away wins".
Efes has a better start, thanks to an arbitration meter much contested by Olimpia who will send the Turks 13 times to the line in the first 14 '(with technicians for protests in Messina and Rodriguez).
But the +9 is illusory, given that Milan lights up from the long run and, at the break, breaks the match from 25-6 that breaks the match in two (47-36 at 21 ').
Grant's triple from midfield at the end of the third period seems almost a divine signal (63-49) but Efes does not give up and returns with 11 consecutive points, a partial interrupted with a triple from Mitoglou.
"On this victory - explains the Greek - we will have to build the next ones".
The Forum is at his feet and he praises him with the "Dino, Dino" choir, reserved in another basketball era for the legendary Meneghin.
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