Dubai Basketball recorded a dramatic 80-76 victory over Anadolu Efes Istanbul at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center on Friday, December 19. The result improved Dubai’s EuroLeague record to 8–9 and snapped a five-match losing streak.
The visitors were at the back for a long time and entered the fourth quarter trailing by seven, but a composed finish turned the game around in the closing minutes. Dubai defeated Efes 28-19 in the final period after struggling offensively earlier in the evening.
McKinley Wright was central to the comeback, recording 15 assists in the EuroLeague season and scoring 17 points. Ten of those points came in the fourth quarter, including key free throws that kept the lead alive late.
Davis Bertans delivered all eleven points in the final quarter and knocked down all three of Dubai’s three-pointers in the fourth quarter. His shooting stretched the Efes defense and created space for Wright to attack.
Dubai erased a 10-point deficit in the third quarter with improved ball movement and timely shooting. Wright’s short jumper made it 76-72 in the final minute before Efes responded with an Ercan Osmani three.
Efes had several chances to force extra time or regain the lead. After Nick Weiler-Babb split free throws to cut the margin to two, a Dubai turnover gave the hosts possession with less than 10 seconds left.
A defensive breakdown left Jordan Loyd open for a potential equalizer, but the shot rolled out. Dubai secured the rebound and ended the game at the free-throw line.
Dubai also got a strong interior performance from Mfiondu Kabengele, who finished with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Filip Petrusev added 14 points and five rebounds to steady the offense during Efes runs.
For Efes, Rodrigue Beaubois and Nick Weiler-Babb each scored 12 points, while Vincent Poirier added nine points and three rebounds. The team from Istanbul fell to 6-11, despite shooting more than 51 percent from two-point range.
The win leaves Dubai one win away from the postseason places heading into the final week of the calendar year. The newcomers will next host EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, while Efes closes 2025 on the road against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
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