Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for the Olympiacos vs Efes at Euroleague match.
Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for the Olympiacos vs Efes at Euroleague match.
The reigning European champions, Anadolu Efes, square off with Olympiacos in the Euroleague semifinals in Belgrade. The two sides have developed an intense rivalry over the past few years, as they constantly play important games that have deep implications on the entire competition. The Turkish team is the favorite. Though, throughout history, Oly delivered numerous upsets, winning titles once expected the least. Be sure that the Greeks will have massive support from the stands, as their brother club, Red Star, already organized fans to support Georgios Bartzokas’ boys.
Olympiacos
The Greeks had very lively quarterfinals, where they met with Monaco and had to play five games to eliminate the nasty French unit. The oscillations are nothing new for Oly, whose comebacks and unexpected wins have become a sort of a trademark of this club.
Sasha Vezenkov is the top scorer of the unit with 13.7 points. The ruthless shooter has 66% of shooting for two and is also one of the best shooters in the Euroleague when it comes to streaks. Once he starts pouring baskets in series, there is no defense.
Veteran Kostas Sloukas adds 11.9 points with 42.5% for three. He and Tyler Dorey are right next to Vezenkov when it comes to scoring. Dorsey posts 12.9 buckets, but he became one of the better two-way players in Europe.
Anadolu Efes
Has the reigning Euroleague MVP, Vasa Micic continued to dominate even though playing three years at the highest possible level. Micic has 18.2 points per night, with 4.6 points. Micic was unstoppable throughout the majority of the year, and for many, he is the main favorite for another MVP award/
Shane Larkin had massive oscillations during this year, but in the end, the American shooter became much more focused and composed on the field. He scores 14.6 points per game, with 40% of shooting from the three-point area. There is not a single shred of doubt that he and Micic form the best backcourt duo in Europe.
Efes breaks the rivals through the tempo of these two, who perfectly complement one another. Still, there are a few who jump in from time to time to replace Micic and Larkin. Moerman, Beaubois, Tibor Pleiss, all these players know to pack 20 points and destroy their guards.
Olympiacos:Walkup, Vezenkov, Dorsey, Fall, Papanikolaus.
Anadolu Efes: Micic, Larkin, Moerman, Beaubois, Pleiss
Both teams have used the home-court advantage this season in their direct meetings. The first game took place in Istanbul, and Efes won 88-69, while the second saw the Greeks triumphing in Athens, 87-85.
Even though Olympiacos will have massive support from the stands, it is our opinion that they can’t compete with the champions. We saw them struggling in the quarterfinals against Monaco, who is far weaker than Efes. Also, they don’t have superstars such as Micic or Larkin, who are able to close the games in clutch moments.
Our verdict: Anadolu Efes