Anadolu Efes vs Maccabi T-A

As the regular season draws to a close, Anadolu Efes is playing well, winning seven of their ten games. They rank sixth in both defensive (allowing 81.8 points) and offensive (scoring 86.3 points) ratings, and are well-known for their well-balanced performance. Instead of taking center stage, star players Bryant and Larkin are improving the team by making contributions on both sides of the floor.

Anadolu Efes has experienced a rollercoaster EuroLeague campaign. Early struggles, fueled by injuries, gave way to a strong mid-November surge that included five impressive road wins. However, their form dipped afterward—only to resurge at the most crucial stage. With five straight victories, they’ve climbed to a 17-14 record, now sitting seventh in the standings.

Their recent wins—against Alba Berlin, Virtus, Partizan, Bayern, and Baskonia—have been particularly convincing, with road triumphs over Bayern and Partizan standing out. The team has also overcome its injury woes, with Shane Larkin and other key players elevating their performances just in time for the playoff push. Given their manageable upcoming schedule, Efes could transform from a dark horse into a genuine postseason threat.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s season has been anything but ordinary. Plagued by off-court turmoil, they lost their entire starting lineup from last year’s near-Final Four team. Compounding their struggles, they’ve had to host games in Belgrade, and several players refused to join due to the club’s uncertain direction and financial instability.

Despite these challenges—including the absence of their best player, Jaylen Hoard—Maccabi has strung together four consecutive wins. With playoff hopes slim, the team is playing with little pressure, allowing individuals to audition for future contracts elsewhere. Meanwhile, management has promised major offseason investments to rebuild a competitive roster for next season. For now, Maccabi’s focus remains on finishing strong amid adversity.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is riding a wave of strong performances, triumphing in eight of their last nine contests. The team thrives on an aggressive offensive approach, averaging 85.4 points per game (8th in the league), but their defensive struggles persist, surrendering 89.5 points (17th). These weaknesses were exposed in their recent 92-99 loss to Panathinaikos, one of the season’s top teams. While Maccabi surpassed their typical scoring output, their inability to contain the Greeks' sharp shooting proved costly.

Defensive issues could resurface against a disciplined Anadolu Efes squad. However, Maccabi has repeatedly shown they can challenge elite opponents, making them a threat even in away games. On the injury front, Hoard, Shayok, and Rivero remain out, but Randolph’s return provides a much-needed boost.