Joint Abdi Ipecki Arena tenants Galatasaray and Anadolu Efes collide on Thursday as it highlights a four-game programme to start round 14 of the EuroLeague.
This will only be the third time that these teams have faced off in EuroLeague action, with a current 1-1 record between them. Galatasaray is led by captain Sinan Guler in points (11.2) and assists (5.3), as he remains the team’s main engine, whereas Anadolu Efes boast a strong line-up, headed by Derrick Brown’s 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game.
“After the tough game losing against Zalgiris Kaunas, we must show a different face of play against Galatasaray Odeabank, which is a very good home team,” said Anadolu Efes coach Velimir Perasovic. “They have very versatile players and offensively they have great talents. We must have much better rebounding control and must try to play with more speed.”
∞∞∞ REAL MADRID STEPS INTO THE RED CAULDRON TO KEEP PACE WITH CSKA ∞∞∞
Real Madrid travel to Belgrade to face Crvena Zvezda on Thursday as they look to keep pace with leaders CSKA Moscow.
Real Madrid’s results have been somewhat irregular and the team has not managed to build a solid winning streak yet this season, but the Spanish team has better numbers in all categories than Zvezda save steals (8.2 against 7.0).
If Real Madrid manages to put the pieces of the puzzle in place quick, it should be able to escape with a win, but as it is known, the crowd in the stands in Belgrade act like a sixth player for the whole 40 minutes, and offer a kind of support that boosts Zvezda in the worst of situations.
Real Madrid welcomed back Sergio Llull and Trey Thompkins on Tuesday and Anthony Randolph should be back in action for the trip to the Serbian capital.
∞∞∞ TWO OTHER GAMES ON A BUSY THURSDAY ∞∞∞
Brose Bamberg host Olympiacos in an intriguing battle on Thursday. These teams have met four times in the EuroLeague before and the German champs hold the positive end of a 3-1 record.
After their second road win of the EuroLeague season, Zalgiris returns home to Kaunas to face Unics Kazan.
The teams have met only twice previously in EuroLeague competition, with a win for each side so far.
“Our task for the game will be to control the game’s rhythm, try to neutralize their snipers Kevin Pangos and Arturas Milaknis and stay competitive at the low post against Robertas Javtokas, Augusto Lima, and Antennas Kavaliauskas,” said Unics coach Evgeny Pashutin.
“We shall be active taking rebounds play and play tough all the game long. We will do our best to move the ball fast in offence and punish our opponent’s mistakes. We will do our best to win.”
