Anadolu Efes Istanbul left Kaunas with a statement 85-70 road victory over Zalgiris Kaunas, controlling the second half of a EuroLeague contest that had been finely balanced at the interval.

In a competition where away wins are currency, this was a valuable one. Efes combined efficient perimeter shooting with a physical defensive performance, while Zalgiris — backed by a loud Zalgirio Arena crowd — were unable to find answers once their early rhythm disappeared.

Match overview

The opening quarter was played at a high tempo, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to establish a cushion. Zalgiris looked sharp in transition early, using the energy of the home crowd to push the pace and attack before the Efes defence could set.

Efes responded by slowing the game down, extending possessions and hunting mismatches. A tight first half gave way to a third quarter in which the visitors seized control, and once the lead reached double digits it never seriously came back.

Key moments

• Late Q2: Efes close the half with a 7-0 run to take a narrow lead into the locker room.
• Mid-Q3: A 10-0 Efes burst — built on two three-pointers and a transition dunk — pushes the margin to 14.
• Early Q4: Zalgiris trim the deficit to eight, but a contested step-back three halts the run.
• Final four minutes: Efes convert free throws and close out the game with disciplined clock management.

Tactical story: pace control and perimeter defence

The most important battle in this game was tempo. Zalgiris wanted to run, and when they did, they looked like the better team. Efes, by contrast, were content to play deep into the shot clock, and their patience repeatedly produced open looks from beyond the arc.

Defensively, Efes prioritised taking away Zalgiris' interior touches, daring the hosts to beat them from the perimeter. The gamble paid off: Zalgiris' shooting numbers fell away as the game progressed, and their offensive rebounds — one of their usual strengths — were neutralised by Efes' physical box-outs.

Standout performers

Shane Larkin orchestrated the Efes attack with composure, balancing scoring and playmaking and repeatedly finding the right pass against Zalgiris' switching defence. Emre Yildiz provided the shooting punch from the wing, while Efes' big men did the unglamorous work on the glass that made the road win possible.

For Zalgiris, the frontcourt battled hard and the guards created chances off the dribble, but the team's three-point shooting never reached the level required to punish a packed defence. The home side's second-unit minutes were also a problem, with the bench struggling to maintain the intensity of the starters.

EuroLeague standings impact

Road wins in the EuroLeague are worth more than the two points on the scoresheet. This result gives Efes a valuable boost in the standings and, just as importantly, proof that their defensive identity travels. For Zalgiris, it is a missed opportunity at home in a league where protecting your own arena is the foundation of a playoff push.

What's next

Zalgiris will need to rediscover their shooting touch quickly, with the schedule offering little respite. Efes take confidence and momentum into their next fixture, knowing that if they defend and rebound at this level, they will remain a difficult opponent for anyone in Europe.