Olympiacos – Anadolu Efes
International - Euroleague, Round 5
26/10/2023 - 21:00 CET
Olympiacos has had the toughest schedule in the EuroLeague in the first four rounds. They played road games against Milano and Panathinaikos and hosted Partizan and Barcelona on their home court. They have achieved two wins and two losses, and this record could have been worse as both of their wins came after overtime. In the past few weeks, Olympiacos has had several injury problems. Shaq McKissic will be out for some time, and Luke Sikma has also missed several games and is questionable for this match. In their absence, even more responsibility in the offense has fallen on Nikola Milutinov, Thomas Walkup and Alec Peters, and their contributions will be crucial for a good result here. Olympiacos is capable of playing one of the best defenses in the EuroLeague, which will be particularly evident at home, where they will once again play in front of a sold-out arena.
Anadolu Efes is still searching for its identity after changing head coach. Erdem Can was supposed to bring more intensity in defense, but what his team has played so far is not much different from what we saw in previous seasons. Will Clyburn is still far from his best form, so much of the offense depends on Shane Larkin, who has more room to operate with Vasilije Micic's departure to the NBA. Darius Thompson has continued where he left off at Baskonia, and there's no doubt that Anadolu Efes has an excellent starting five. The problem lies in the depth, as well as defensive intensity. They don't have many quality options in the frontcourt, and the rotation has been limited to eight or nine players.
After a loss to Barcelona and a tough game against Partizan in Piraeus, it's time for Olympiacos to play a quality game on their home court. The health situation is better than a week ago. Ignas Brazdeikis has returned, Nigel Williams-Goss is getting closer to 100% fitness, and there is a small possibility that Sikma will be in the roster. Anadolu Efes's defense is not of sufficient quality to slow down the opponent's offense, as seen best against Barcelona and Real Madrid, while Olympiacos has elite defenders like Walkup and Papanikolau who can find solutions for Larkin, Thompson and Clyburn.