Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Turkish Basketball Super League match.
Many hoped for a closely fought final, but it seems that message never reached Fenerbahçe. In Game 1, the squad dominated with a commanding 94:76 win, sending a clear signal of their championship intent.
Fenerbahçe
Watching Fenerbahçe, one could be forgiven for thinking this was a mid-season fixture rather than a high-stakes final in June. The squad is packed with experienced players who seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time. C. J. McCollum, following a lacklustre semi-final series, bounced back in Game 1 with a 12-point showing. Wade Baldwin IV has also been in solid form, averaging 12.7 points over his last 10 appearances.
Beşiktaş
The centre position remains a weak point for Beşiktaş, and that deficiency has become more apparent as the series progresses. The starting center Emanuel Terry struggled again, contributing only 3 points and 4 rebounds in 16 minutes. His backup, Uroš Plavšić, looks out of his depth in this playoff stage, averaging just 3.9 points and 3 rebounds. With the task of containing their interior duo, Beşiktaş face a daunting challenge.
Fenerbahçe vs Beşiktaş Prediction
Any doubts about Fenerbahçe’s title credentials should have been put to rest after Game 1. Beşiktaş showed little in terms of resistance, and it’s hard to see the rest of the series unfolding any differently.
