By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
This is the first time in this season’s Top16 with so many clear favorites in the upcoming 9th gameday. We know that “favorite” in Euroleague is a word that must be used with caution, but in this case things are more than obvious. The advantage of some teams against their opponents is tremendous and after Friday night the disadvantage for some others in the quest for the play offs could be even bigger. Those others are Maccabi Tel Aviv and Zalgiris which have to prove on the court that they haven’t said their last word in the qualification race.
Eurohoops game of the week: Panathinaikos – Anadolu Efes
Anadolu Efes is stealing the show in Euroleague the last few weeks on and off the court, thanks to its “surprise concert” video. The story, however, is that the Turks have a 7-1 record and after six straight wins they have to face on the road Panathinaikos, a team starting to find its chemistry and with a 5-3 record is on the road to qualify to the play offs.
The tradition favors the Greeks, but this time things seem to be different. Both teams so far have proven that if they make their threes, they win, so that may be the key in their match up. They both have admirable front lines, but our gut tells us that this game will be decided by the backcourts and their leaders. If Efes wins, then the two top spot finish in the group standings will be more than possible. If the Greens prevail, then they will be play offs bound and will try to catch up with the Turks.
Honorable mention: Unicaja Malaga – Zalgiris Kaunas
One more game in group E is more than crucial. Unicaja has a 4-4 record, one win behind Panathinaikos which will have to visit Malaga, and Zalgiris has left far behind the happy days of regular season. After losing to the Greeks in Kaunas, the team of coach Plaza has to get the road win in Spain in order to stay alive. Of course, a Lithuanian win will also be a nice present to Panathinaikos. If Malaga defends its home court on the other hand, it will stay close to the fourth place of the group and in the play offs race.
Looking for a chance: Besiktas – Olympiacos
Besiktas was beaten by Fenerbahce/ Ulker in their Turkish league clash, lost also Daniel Ewing due to injury and will probably use newcomer Ricky Minard. Olympiacos will also have its own new face, Doron Perkins who returns to Euroleague as a member of the defending champions. The Reds have a 5-3 record and are looking for their 5th straight victory, without the luxury of losing in a gym where all his competitors have won. The team of coach Kunter is still searching for its first Top16 win. Will it have its chance on Thursday? It seems that the outcome is on the hands of the better team, which is Olympiacos.
Under Simone’s shadow: Siena – Fenerbahce/ Ulker
That could have been “the great return”, but Simone Pianigiani decided to leave Fenerbahce/ Ulker before his return to Siena for the first time as an opponent. His shadow, however, will remain over this game. Despite its 6-2 record, Siena is on a slump and will have to fight in order to remain on the two top spots of group F. Can the change of the coach revive Fener and make its quality players work more like a unit? It remains to be seen on the court. That being said, you have to remember that in the previous game between the two teams in Istanbul, Bobby Brown had his career night in Euroleague.
Losing means trouble: Caja Laboral – Maccabi Tel Aviv
Caja Laboral started Top15 with a 4-0 record, however the situation at this point is quite different. After four straight defeats and a 4-4 record, a mini crisis erupted and led to the cut of Carlos Cabezas. Maccabi Tel Aviv stayed alive after beating Siena last week, but with a 3-5 record it needs the road win in order to continue its qualification effort, which still is a longshot.
On the other hand, a 5th straight defeat, specially at home, will be a disaster for Caja, which have also to face Khimki in Moscow. The situation is simple. Losing means trouble for both teams and may lead them out of the play offs. We expect the game to be decided in defense, specially in the way Caja will try to stop the backcourt of Maccabi. The Israelis will do the only thing they know and this is to run, shoot and if it all clicks, then there is a winning chance.
Revenge time: Barcelona – Khimki
So far only Khimki managed to beat Barcelona in Top16 in Moscow. That’s also the only road defeat of Barcelona this season in Euroleague, the final point difference was 13 points and Navarro was missing. The “Blaugrana” not only want revenge, but also to seal the top spot of the group against a team that has registered big wins on the road this season against names like Panathinaikos and Caja Laboral. It will be a big game, but Barcelona has the advantage.
For the top: Real Madrid – Brose Baskets
Real Madrid remains on the top spot of its group, but has to share it with Anadolu Efes and hosts Brose Baskets in a game with almost a predefined outcome. It will be very hard for the Germans to win in Madrid, specially after last week’s big effort of Alba Berlin on the same court. Real will get the “w” on Thursday and on Friday it will cheer for… Panathinaikos in order to have less competition for the first place of the standings.
One way road: CSKA Moscow – Alba Berlin
Its first Top16 win is already a fact and Alba has already accomplished its mission this season in Euroleague. CSKA was considered invisible, but now with a 5-3 record has to finish strong in order to get one of the two top spots of its group, because at this point not even a place in the top four is guaranteed. With two defeats by Real and Efes and also by Unicaja at home, CSKA hasn’t the luxury of one more misstep. However the question against feisty Alba is if the “army team” will dominate the game from the start, or if we will see a replay of the German’s last week effort against Real.