By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
It was in Round 29 when FC Barcelona became the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Two rounds later, the teams that have qualified for the playoffs remain one.
With another three rounds to go for the completion of the regular season, plus one (postponed) game for CSKA Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg, Eurohoops outlines how things stand for ten teams in one of the most shocking finales in the history of the EuroLeague, and not only with the existing format (2016-present).
2. CSKA MOSCOW 20-10
Despite having a negative record in 2021 (6-7), CSKA had toiled earlier in the season so that they could be in the top four consistently since Round 8, having a game less compared to almost all the teams that trail behind them. They’re looking like the favorites to finish in second place.
- @ Zenit St Petersburg, March 30, Round 32: It’s the toughest of the games that CSKA still has to play until the end, since for Zenit it’s more important in terms of their final placement in the rankings. In the first game between them, CSKA won 83-65 in Moscow.
- vs. Khimki Moscow Region, April 2, Round 33: Even though Khimki is looking more competitive in recent games, CSKA will most likely beat them the second time, too (87-96 in the first round).
- vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, April 8, Round 34: Nothing will make any difference in terms of placement for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, however, they will want to wrap up their commitments in the EuroLeague with a win and they can be dangerous. Even so, CSKA still has the upper hand for the second round (78-87 in the first round).
- vs. Panathinaikos OPAP Athens, April 14, rescheduled from Round 25: The game of Round 25 will drop the curtain of the regular season in the EuroLeague and until then, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens, who don’t really have anything to gain in terms of their placement, will have turned their attention on their domestic commitments. CSKA won 83-89 in Athens.
3. ANADOLU EFES ISTANBUL 20-11
Anadolu Efes Istanbul are having an impressive second phase (12-2) and not only have they stabilized their place in the top eight, but it’s also very possible they will make the playoffs with home-court advantage. They will have to continue playing at the same level since all their games until the end are away from Istanbul, while they can’t control almost any of the possible ties with the teams that are chasing after them.
- @ Real Madrid, March 30, Round 32: It’s the first of the three difficult games that Efes has left until the end, as Real Madrid are in a tough spot ahead of the playoffs and are burning for the win. Real won their first game by 65-73 in Istanbul.
- @ TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, April 1, Round 33: TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz are trying to make the playoffs and are expected to be an extremely tough opponent. To be precise, a lot tougher than they were in the first round, when in fact Baskonia won 59-77 in Istanbul.
- @ AX Armani Exchange Milan, April 9, Round 34: AX Armani Exchange Milan is struggling to hold on to a place in the top four and this one is going to be like a playoff game. A possible cover of the thre-point deficit of the first round (Milan won 69-72 in Istanbul) could have multiple benefits for Efes.
4. AX ARMANI EXCHANGE MILAN 19-12
Milan is coming off back-to-back defeats and is barely holding onto its place in the top four. For the rest of the schedule, Milan has two trips to difficult home courts and a tough game in Milan, but they can come through if they perform based on the capability of their roster.
- @ Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade, March 30, Round 32: Their home record may not be the best possible (5-10), however Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade are always more dangerous at home. A serious Milan team can respond to the defeat that Zvezda got in Milan (79-87).
- @ Panathinaikos OPAP Athens, April 1, Round 33: Panathinaikos is always Panathinaikos, especially at the OAKA Altion, but their motivation (or lack thereof) in terms of their final ranking may prevail over prestige in this particular case. After all, the Greens already won in Milan (77-80).
- vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, April 9, Round 34: The regular season could not come to a close for Milan with a tougher opponent than Efes, although the Italian team did prevail in Istanbul (69-72).