Panathinaikos vs Anadolu Efes

The upcoming EuroLeague showdown between Panathinaikos Athens and Anadolu Efes Istanbul promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Europe’s most storied basketball clubs. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, this game could have major implications in the standings.

Panathinaikos are set to host Anadolu Efes in Game 1 of their EuroLeague quarter-final playoff series, kicking off a best-of-five battle with the Greek side holding home-court advantage. They will play the first two games in Athens and a potential deciding Game 5, if needed.

The reigning champions ended a decade-long drought last season by defeating Real Madrid in the final, securing their seventh EuroLeague crown. However, the Greens have never successfully defended their title and will be looking to make history with back-to-back championships.

Panathinaikos wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 22-12 record, earning the third seed. Among their victories was a high-scoring 104-89 win over Efes at home. Kendrick Nunn, who averaged a EuroLeague-best 21.1 points per game, was named MVP for his standout performances.

Efes, meanwhile, also got the better of Panathinaikos during the regular season, dominating the Greek side 93-67 in their home fixture.

The Turkish powerhouse, EuroLeague champions in two of the last four years, secured the sixth seed after a strong finish to the season. Luca Banchi’s squad won their last eight games to avoid the play-in tournament, entering the playoffs in top form.

However, their most recent EuroLeague loss came in Athens — something they’ll look to avenge as they aim to overcome Panathinaikos' home advantage and steal Game 1 on the road.

Efes, a two-time EuroLeague champion (2021, 2022), has the experience to handle tough road games. Their offense, led by Larkin, thrives in pick-and-roll situations, but their defense will need to step up against a physical Panathinaikos squad.