By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
A new Eurohoops trademark is premiering. Before a big game we will present three key points which may decide the outcome, according to our perception of tactics.
Our first game is the big match up between CSKA Moscow and Anadolu Efes and here’s what we consider where the team of coach Dusan Ivkovic should focus in order to get the win.
1. The first think will be to stop the duo of Teodosic and De Colo, cutting their communication with the rest of the team. They are two very important poles in the team’s creation and execution. The more you contain them, the more you get more chances to win. The Serb and the Frenchman are averaging 32,6 points and 10,2 assists per game! That means 53 points from the 88,2 scored in total per average by CSKA!
2. The second point is almost identical with the first and hasd also to do with defense. You have to contain the wings and the forwards. Teodosic and Do Colo are creating many easy shots for Weems, Vorontsevich and from now on for Kirilenko and Khryapa. If coach Ivkovic manage to reduce the effect of the two guards on the game and also their supporters (Weems can also be a creator, using isolations plays), with hedge outs, or switches in screens, then the centers (Kaun, Hines) can not be by themselves a big offensive threat.
3. The offensive efficiency of Efes has fallen during the last three games. During previous seasons, CSKA was using very heavy line ups that couldn’t react well against good pick and roll teams, specially when switching in defense. That part of the game has beem fixed by coach Itoudis with Hines, Kaun and Vorontsevich being ready to respond. CSKA is now playing also “smallball”.
You have to mention also the fact that Andrei Kirilenko brings even more debth, height and effectiveness in defense. What will be needed by Efes then? Despite the need for good reading of every play on the floor, making the long range shots is a MUST. Janning, Perperoglou, Heurtel, Draper, Milko Bjelica and Saric must be efficient. If this happens, while Lasme and Krstic stand their ground in the paint, then the Turkish team will stay in the game and will have a shot for the win.