Tip off (Top16 2nd g.) – Road challenges

By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net

The 2nd gameday of Top16 is about to start and this time the games are equally divided with four being held on Thursday and four more on Friday. It still early for any real conclusion about how things will play out, but one thing is for sure. In order to get far, you have to win on the road.

Game of the week: Fenerbahce/ Ulker – Barcelona

It seems like yesterday when the two teams faced eachother during the regular season, however this time the result will be a lot more important in their race towards the final four. The two opponents have beat each other and defended their home courts. That’s why Fenerbahce needs this win, specially after losing to Olympiacos last week. On the contrary Barcelona wants to prove in Istanbul that the recent 94-81 win can be duplicated also on the road against a team with similar targets.

The key for the win will be once more the control of the rhythm, shooting efficiency and rebounding. Also keep on eye on the match up between Bogdanovic and Papanikolaou as the Greek forward shut down the Croatian scorer in their last duel.

Honorable mention: Laboral Kutxa – Panathinaikos

Also this is the third encounter of the season between the two teams. However both of them are in a lot better shape at this point. After beating on the road Unicaja and Barcelona in Liga Endesa, Laboral Kutxa is ready to go. The Greens got the easy win against EA7 Milano, they are producing their trademark – since last season – defense and when this happens, they usually have also better shooting percentages.

However, Panathinaikos seems to have the advantage in the paint, the Greens will try to exploit it. Laboral Kutxa will try to impose an uptempo rhythm, something that Panathinaikos can’t allow. It will be a crucial game that will prove how much dangerous – or not – can be the hosts in this season’s Top16.

Replay: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Lokomotiv Kuban

Since the start of the season we have predicted that Kuban will not be a typical newcomer in the league. That happened and despite the loss to CSKA Moscow last week, coach Pashutin’s team gave a real fight, proving that is up to the challenge. Maccabi continued its rise in Top16 by beating Galatasaray in Turkey. It’s obvious at this point that Maccabi is not only after a play off birth, but also the home court advantage.

In regular season, Kuban lost both games by Maccabi and will try to get revenge. Both games were decided in details, so Maccabi will have to be extra careful. The Israelis will not have also injured Sofoklis Schortsanitis in their roster.

First date: Bayern Munich – Partizan

After a great Top16 start, Bayern Munich will host in its first ever Top16 home game Partizan, which at this point seems content after being among the best 6 teams of Euroleague. Still the Germans are the favorites. They have a quality roster, the home court and they know, after what happened in regular season, that a good start can be a great weapon. And don’t forget the experience of coach Svetislav Pesic in Bayern’s bench.

The point difference: Real Madrid – Galatasaray

This is also a first, as both teams never met each other in the past in the history of European basketball. However the only question at this point is what will be the final point difference in favor of the hosts. The team of coach Ataman will have a hard time keeping up with Real, specially in Madrid, so it seems that it will be just an other day in the office for Real.

Russian favorite: CSKA Moscow – Zalgiris Kaunas

CSKA Moscow of coach Messina, despite its budget and stars, for the second straight season is searching its balance and at this point stability is not a given. However the win in Krasnodar last week was a good step forward and against Zalgiris, CSKA has the quality to prevail. The Lithuanians can be competitive if they are smart enough to take advantage CSKA’s bad stretches during the game, still the quality difference is such that doesn’t give enough hope to Zalgiris.

The must win game: Anadolu Efes – Unicaja Malaga

Both teams entered Top16 in the last gameday of regular season and they have to play bigger than expected in order to stay on the run for the play offs. Both of them lost their opening games last week and one more defeat translates to a 0-2 record, which will also include a home defeat. We expect a really competitive game, as both teams have good rosters and two coaches, Plaza and Aggelou who are really paying attention to detail.

Two opposite sides: EA7 Milano – Olympiacos

EA7 Milano didn’t put up a fight in OAKA against Panathinaikos and Olympiacos has been hit hard by injury woes, but got the win over Fenerbahce/ Ulker. So things seem to be simple. If Olympiacos’ players are not efficient in one on one defense and let the Italians find their offensive groove, then we will see a game open to any result.

If Olympiacos controls the rhythm, then it’s expected to impose its will, like it happened last season. Mardy Collins who replaced Acie Law in the team’s rotation is expected to make his Euroleague’s debut. On the contrary also newly signed Jamario Moon will have to wait until the middle of Top16 in order to make his first Euroleague appearance.