Adam Williams presents his prediction for the EuroLeague match.
The EuroLeague Playoffs tip off on Tuesday, widely regarded as the most exciting phase of the season. The opening night features a standout fixture between Panathinaikos and Anadolu Efes. These sides shared wins during the regular season, each triumphing on their respective home courts. The upcoming two games will be held in Athens.
Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos concluded the regular season as the league’s top-scoring squad, averaging 88.4 points per game. Kendrick Nunn was the standout performer, putting up 21.4 points and 4.3 assists per game, a contribution that earned him the competition’s MVP honours. However, their defensive solidity remains a concern. In their last outing, they conceded 104 points to Crvena Zvezda, a team not typically known for offensive firepower. That followed a 101-point concession to Paris Basketball and 92 allowed against Maccabi Tel Aviv—the latter being viewed as a lower-tier opponent.
Anadolu Efes
Anadolu Efes enter this contest on the back of an impressive eight-game winning streak. Their resurgence has been largely driven by a significantly improved offence, which has flourished in the latter stages of the campaign. As a result, they now rank among the league’s top five scoring teams, with an average of 86.8 points per game. Their strength lies in their diverse offensive options, with eight players averaging at least eight points per contest. In addition, Shane Larkin and Darius Thompson have combined for 9.1 assists per game.
Panathinaikos vs Anadolu Efes Prediction
In their most recent meeting, the two teams produced a combined 193 points. Both sides lean heavily on their attacking strengths, which have been key to their recent successes. Given their offensive profiles and pace of play, another high-scoring game is likely.
