Adam Williams presents his prediction for the EuroLeague match.
Most of the clubs competing with Anadolu Efes for a top-six finish have already completed their fixtures. It is now clear that the team must secure a victory. Their opponents are Žalgiris Kaunas, a team that has struggled considerably towards the end of the regular season.
Anadolu Efes
Anadolu Efes have won nine of their last ten matches across all competitions. Their recent run has been driven by outstanding scoring efficiency and strong contributions from key players. They are averaging 93.6 points per game during this stretch and, crucially, have demonstrated that it is not solely dependent on Shane Larkin. Other players have stepped up: in a recent outing, Jordan Nwora scored 25 points, while in another fixture, Elijah Bryant and Vincent Poirier combined for 31 points.
Žalgiris Kaunas
Looking back on the campaign, the high-profile acquisition of Lonnie Walker from the NBA has ultimately fallen short of expectations. Initially, Žalgiris Kaunas worked to integrate him into the system, but following his abrupt departure, they failed to find consistency. As a result, they have lost three of their last five EuroLeague games and struggled offensively, averaging just 76.4 points per game.
Anadolu Efes vs Žalgiris Kaunas Prediction
Anadolu Efes are clear favourites in this matchup — and not just on paper. They need a win to avoid complications in the play-in round. Moreover, with ten victories in their last twelve home games, Anadolu Efes have shown real strength in Istanbul. A close contest seems unlikely.
