EuroLeague: Fenerbahce vs. Anadolu Efes Preview, Odds, Predictions

The EuroLeague battle between Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes will have a massive effect on the playoff standings. Efes, the reigning EuroLeague champion, is outside the playoff zone, and a win here would improve their situation. Meanwhile, Fener is seventh, but they can’t afford to lose this one, otherwise, they could end up shorthanded at the end of the regular part of the season. Besides this round, there is one more afterward before the start of the playoffs. 

Preview

Fenerbahce (18-14, +105) had everything in its hands against Baskonia, and a double-digit lead but managed to lose the event and put themselves in a terrible position. Fener lost the final quarter 32-11, and even though Vanja Marinkovic had an incredible night, dropping 35 points, Fenerbahce’s drop in the last 12 minutes is the biggest reason for the 92-69 defeat. 

Guduric and the boys shot 4-for-17 from the three-point territory, possibly their worst performance throughout the campaign. Meanwhile, Fener allowed 44 boards while having 28, so it’s no wonder why Itudis’ crew lost. Baskonia had 28 defensive boards alone. 

Previously, Fener lost to Real Madrid in Spain, 90-75, not having any chance to win and losing all four quarters. All this was preceded by a defeat against Tofas in the Turkish league, 94-89. The only positive thing in their recent performances was a massive 86-64 triumph over Galatasaray, their biggest enemy, on Monday night. 

Anadolu Efes (16-16, -110) recovered from serious shock suffered throughout February and March, once they lost a couple of extremely important events and put themselves into a lot of trouble. Instead of thinking about defending the EuroLeague title, Anadolu is battling to reach the eighth spot. 

However, four victories in a row, two in the domestic championship and two in back-to-back EuroLeague games, improved the atmosphere in Efes’ locker room. Both of their EuroLeague events were in Istanbul – the first against Olimpia Milano, 89-69, and the second against another Italian representative, Virtus Bologna, 86-67.

The former Cleveland Cavaliers center, Ante Zizic, had 24 points against Virtus, reminding everyone of his quality and skills. Against Milano, Shane Larkin had 18 buckets, while Will Clyburn scored 16, one more than Vasilije Micic. This team underachieved a lot throughout the year, but it was expected to see them start playing well at some point.

Head to Head Games

Fener and Anadolu have met three times so far this year. The first meeting was in the Turkish Super Cup, when Anadolu won, 71-62. After that, Fener beat the rivals in EuroLeague, in Efes’ arena, 88-79, and again after that in the Turkish championship, 93-90, at home. 

Prediction

Fenerbahce’s form dropped in the critical moment of the year when the stakes are the highest possible. They are playing inconsistently, with Marko Guduric not delivering the expected performances, and he is the x-factor in Fener’s game, whether you agree or not. Meanwhile, Efes is on the rise, and all the players are past the crisis. The bookies see that, which is why Anadolu is the favorite event though Fener has the home-court edge. Our suggestion for this event is for Anadolu Efes to triumph due to their superb form and the negative atmosphere surrounding Fener’s locker room.

Pick: Anadolu Efes wins -110

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