Panathinaikos vs Anadolu Efes

Panathinaikos has managed to win only two of their last five EuroLeague games, underscoring the challenges they’ve been facing. Coming into this matchup, they narrowly edged out Fenerbahce with a 91-90 win in a thrilling finish, improving their EuroLeague record to 15-10.

In that game, Ergin Ataman’s squad had a bit of good fortune. After a tightly contested fourth quarter, during which Kostas Sloukas and Kendrick Nunn led a 14-3 surge, Fenerbahce fought back. However, in the closing seconds, Nigel Hayes-Davis missed a shot that could have won the game and then fouled Nunn, who clinched the victory with his free throws.

Sloukas was instrumental, contributing 23 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Nunn, the standout performer, added 21 points and seven assists. One of Panathinaikos’ major issues is their weakened presence in the paint. Since Mathias Lessort’s absence, they haven’t resembled the dominant team that once claimed the EuroLeague title.

Compounding their problems, Omer Yurtseven is also sidelined with an injury, thrusting Wenyen Gabriel into a more prominent role. While few centers in the league—aside from Walter Tavares—can match Lessort’s influence, the French center is making progress in his recovery from a leg fracture and could return for the playoffs. On a brighter note, Juancho Hernangomez has shown noticeable improvement compared to last season.

Given the current roster constraints, Dinos Mitoglou is likely to see more playing time, and Panathinaikos has been forced to adopt a “small ball” approach. Against teams with dominant centers, Gabriel will need to rise to the occasion. This vulnerability was evident in their game against Milan, where Gabriel’s early foul trouble allowed their opponents to exploit the situation—highlighting the tough phase Panathinaikos is enduring as they strive to make the most of their available resources.

Despite their difficulties, Panathinaikos possesses the second-best offense in the EuroLeague and will need to demonstrate this strength against Anadolu Efes. If they can stay focused and avoid the late-game theatrics that nearly cost them against Fenerbahce, they should be well-positioned to secure a win. Additionally, their three-point shooting could play a pivotal role—if they can replicate their 10/22 performance from beyond the arc against Fenerbahce, it could greatly enhance their chances of victory.

Similar to Panatholaikos, Anadolu Efes has only secured two wins in their last five EuroLeague games. However, they successfully defended their home court in a tightly contested match against Real Madrid, emerging with a 79-73 victory. Despite their recent challenges, they now hold a 12-13 record and remain in contention for a play-in spot or even a playoff berth.

Efes has faced its share of setbacks, with Shane Larkin sustaining another injury after already missing a significant part of the season. In his absence, Elijah Bryant has risen to the occasion as the team’s leader, consistently demonstrating his importance. He delivered another impressive performance against Real Madrid, contributing 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Vincent Poirier also played a pivotal role, highlighting how motivation can elevate a player’s game. Facing his former team, the French center turned in one of his best performances of the season. In the final moments, he scored to extend Efes’ lead to five points and then blocked Facundo Campazzo’s shot on the defensive end. Poirier ended the game with 15 points, eight rebounds, and an efficient 7/9 shooting from the field.

Darius Thompson added 12 points, while newly signed PJ Dozier energized the crowd with a jaw-dropping dunk over Walter Tavares, a potential dunk-of-the-season contender, helping Efes secure a crucial win despite Larkin’s absence.

This season has been far from stable for Anadolu Efes. Head coach Tomislav Mijatovic was reassigned to an assistant role, with Luca Banchi taking over as the new head coach, and the team also underwent a change in general manager. Despite these upheavals, Efes has managed to navigate the challenges without Larkin, securing five road wins—more than their total from the entire previous season.

However, inconsistency continues to plague the team, preventing them from finding a steady rhythm. One of Efes’ key strengths lies in their deep roster, where different players can step up on any given night. Yet, results are what ultimately matter, and the team is acutely aware of the pressure they face as they strive to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Heading into this matchup, Efes has the opportunity to capitalize on Panathinaikos’ weakened frontcourt. The trio of Poirier, Daniel Oturu, and Chris Willis could create significant problems for the Greek side, especially in the absence of Mathias Lessort. Additionally, Efes’ backcourt will need to find their shooting touch from beyond the arc. If their three-point shooting comes together, Efes could position themselves for another surprising victory.