EuroLeague Final: Barcelona vs Anadolu Efes Preview, Odds, Prediction

The EuroLeague finals put together two of the best teams in the competitions this year, Anadolu Efes and Barcelona. These two teams survived thrillers in the semifinals and now get ready for the most important game of the season. Fantastic individuals are the main strength of both sides, but the teams have different play styles. Efes is an attack-first team that crushes the rivals with a high-paced tempo. On the other side, Barcelona plays very tough basketball and is the top defensive team in the EuroLeague throughout the 2020/21 campaign. For all those who love good old-fashioned ballin’, this is the best possible game to watch.

Preview

Barcelona (+140) proceeded to the finals following Cory Higgins’ dagger with less than one second to go. It would secure Blaugrana’s 84-82 win over Armani Milano, in one of the most intense games seen this season. Higgins showed some magic like his Godfather Michael Jordan had throughout his career.

However, the leading guy for the Spanish side in this match was Nikola Mirotic, who had 21 points and six boards. The former Bulls and Pelicans’ forward made four threes and 10 of his 13 free-throw attempts. Next to him was Nick Calathes with 17 points, six assists, and four boards. The Florida Gators’ alumni wasn’t in the middle of attention, but calmy did his thing.

What was also very important was the fact that Barcelona forced 17 turnovers against a team that averaged just 11 lost possessions and was the top team in the league in that aspect. It is just another proof that this side plays magnificent defense.

Anadolu Efes (-125) survived a drama against CSKA Moscow. The Turkish side was up 20 points during some parts of the match, but eventually had a major slowdown in the final 10 minutes, during which they allowed 31 points while scoring only 18.

We need to say that Efes had a lot of luck, with some pretty unreasonable solutions their counterparts had at the last minute. Also, CSKA had a shot for the win, but Will Clyburne missed a three.

Vasilije Micic proved why he is this year’s MVP scoring 25 points, most of them until the fourth period, though. Sanli Sertac had 19 and was a true surprise, while Shane Larkin had 11, but the American played a vital role in the last two minutes with Micic out due to five fouls.

Head to Head Games

Efes won both matches this year. The first in Istanbul ended 86-79 for the hosts, and the second in Spain 88-86, and that one was very dramatic.

Prediction

A lot will depend upon the foul criteria here and how officials allow Barca’s guards to defend Micic and Larkin. As said, Blaugrana is the strongest defense in Europe this year. But even so, we are closer to believe in Efes’ win. The Turkish side is incredibly gifted in offense, and if they have an average shooting night from a distance, Barca won’t be able to protect that. The odds on their victory are pretty solid and worth taking a risk.

Pick: Efes to Win -125