By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Monaco have already secured not only their presence in the EuroLeague playoffs but also the home-court advantage. However, the other four spots are still open and while some teams have more chances than others, everything is still fluid.
To be exact, six teams are fighting for four spots with Zalgiris Kaunas and Anadolu Efes currently in the ninth and tenth positions, or if you prefer in the playoffs bubble.
That’s why one of the most important games this week will be played in Kaunas with Zalgiris (17-15) hosting Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (19-13). The Israelis have six straight wins and if they get to the seventh, then they will secure their spot in the playoffs.
On the other hand, if Zalgiris wins they keep their hopes alive, while in theory, Maccabi may still be in danger of missing the playoffs even with 19 wins if they lose with more than two points.
A huge game will be also played in Istanbul between Fenerbahce BEKO (18-14) and Anadolu Efes (16-16). A defeat for Efes means that the back-to-back champions are mathematically eliminated. On the other hand, if Fenerbahce loses, then their presence in the playoffs will be in doubt.
Cazoo Baskonia (17-15) at home against LDLC ASVEL, the last team in the standings, in theory, has an easy task. However, if Zalgiris is defeated by Maccabi, then Baskonia with a win seals the deal and gets a spot in the playoffs, while Zalgiris would be eliminated.
The last game which is crucial for the playoffs race is the contest between AS Monaco (21-11) and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (18-14). Partizan with a win secures their spot in the playoffs, while in theory Monaco can still avoid the fourth spot in the standings by getting two wins in the last two rounds, depending on the results of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Partizan can still make it with a defeat if Baskonia or Zalgiris are also defeated.
To make things simple, if Zalgiris and Efes are defeated tonight and Baskonia gets the win over ASVEL, then Maccabi, Fenerbahce, Partizan, and Baskonia secure their spot in the playoffs with the final standings to be decided next week.