Hapoel Tel Aviv delivered one of the most emphatic offensive performances of their European campaign, dismantling Anadolu Efes Istanbul 118-88. Few expected such a one-sided contest on paper, but from the opening quarter the Israeli side imposed a pace and shot quality that Efes simply could not match. The final margin of 30 points tells the story of a game that was decided at the offensive end, where Hapoel's efficiency overwhelmed a visiting defense that never found answers.
The most revealing number is Hapoel's two-point shooting. They converted 27 of their 37 attempts from inside the arc, a remarkable 73% clip, while going 18-of-31 from three-point range (58%). Add it together and Hapoel made 45 of 68 field goal attempts, a 66% overall shooting night. Efes attempted exactly the same number of field goals, 68, but made only 33 (48.5%). That gap of 12 made baskets, worth 24 points before free throws, is essentially the entire margin of victory. Efes' 9-of-23 shooting from deep (39%) was respectable in isolation but nowhere near enough to keep pace.
The rebounding battle reinforced Hapoel's control. They won the boards 33-26, and the split is even more telling on the defensive glass: 28 defensive rebounds for Hapoel against just 19 for Efes. Limiting second-chance opportunities while finishing possessions cleanly allowed Hapoel to play at their preferred tempo. Ball security was equally decisive. Hapoel turned the ball over only 8 times against 9 for Efes, but the real contrast came in steals (6-4) and blocks (3-1), small edges that fed a transition attack Efes could not slow down. Hapoel also reached the line less often (14 free throws to Efes' 16) yet still scored 118 points, underlining how much of the damage was done in open play.
Tactically, the Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul lineups and key players told a clear story: Hapoel's spacing stretched Efes' defense to breaking point, and the extra pass was always available. Hapoel recorded 21 assists on 45 made baskets, while Efes managed 23 assists on just 33 makes, meaning the visitors moved the ball well but lacked the shot-making to convert. Efes' tactics leaned on half-court execution, but with only 26 rebounds and a defense conceding 66% shooting, they were forced into a chase they could never win. The scoreline does not flatter Hapoel; if anything, their control of the defensive glass and near-flawless shot selection made the 30-point gap feel deserved rather than accidental.
