Pinar Karsiyaka - Anadolu Efes
Turkie - TBSL, Playoffs, Final
The Basketball expert
Pinar Karsiyaka played two almost identical games in Istanbul. On both occasions, they trailed by double digits already in the first quarter. Then, they would catch Anadolu Efes at some point, but in the end Ergin Ataman's team would emerge victorious without too much drama. Angel Delgado was one of the most important players in Ufuk Sarica's system during this season, but he is unrecognizable in the series so far. Braian Angola was also below every criterion on Thursday night. Without a much bigger contribution from Delgado and Angola, Pinar Karsiyaka can hardly make a comeback here. However, home court in Izmir is one of their greatest strengths. Including the playoffs, they are 16-2 at home in the Turkish Super League.
It looks like Ergin Ataman will eventually leave Anadolu Efes and Turkey in triumph. It didn't seem like that two months ago when they missed out on the Euroleague quarterfinals. However, they found their best form in the Turkish Super League playoffs and are now just one win away from winning the title. Elijah Bryant had a couple of outstanding performances, while Amath M'Baye is particularly inspired against his former club. There is no need to talk about what Shane Larkin and Vasilije Micic brings. The problem could be Will Clyburn's injury. He didn’t return to the floor after the incident in the first quarter and there is a chance he will miss Game 3.
After everything we saw in the semifinals against Turk Telekom, much more resistance was expected from Pinar Karsiyaka in this final. They definitely need to raise their game to a level above, and they showed in the Turkish Super League semifinals that they can do it. As already stated, coach Sarica's team always achieves significantly better results when playing in Izmir. They have great pride and will do everything they can to avoid being swept 3-0. In the regular season, they defeated Anadolu Efes both times and will surely have a chance to repeat it now. If they still fail, it is realistic that Pinar Karsiyaka will stay close until the last second.
Pistol Pete
In front of their fans in Izmir, Karsiyaka is certainly capable and ready for more impressive attacking editions than those in the opening two matches of the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL) final, away against Efes.
Previously, in Istanbul, Efes won 85:68 in the duel played on June 15, and two days earlier, the powerful Euroleague team won 82:78. Especially in the first game, Karsiyaka proved to be a worthy opponent against the favourites.
It is to be expected that, in the heated atmosphere of the great fans in Izmir, both teams will be offensively inspired. As the host, in the last 12 games, Karsiyaka scored at least 84 points. The last time the team played less than that score was on December 24, when they beat Bursaspor 81:80.
So, for example, as a host against Efes on April 8, Karsiyaka played particularly inspired and celebrated even 98:83. This team is absolutely capable of such impressive shooting games, even against the best teams on the continent.
On the other hand, Efes players are aware that the BSL final matches this June are the last for this famous generation of the Istanbul team, which won two Euroleague titles. Since the beginning of the playoffs, Efes has been playing impressively, now that they are counting on all healthy players. In eight playoff games, they did not score at least 82 points only once. And out of 21 games in all competitions since the beginning of spring, i.e. in the last three months - only three times have Efes players scored less than 82 points.
Karsiyaka won last year at home on May 13, 79:73 (also a playoff match), and compared to that team, they are now a more offensively potent unit overall. Previously, on January 23 last year, they won 78:73 in the BSL Regular Season. All those results are relevant for this final series, since the key players of Efes are still there and the concept and the system of the their play has not changed.
In the first game of the final, the famous Efes playmaker Vasilije Micic shone (24 points with five important assists). His game will be extremely important for the guests, in an arena where they traditionally have no success. On the other hand, the inspiration of guard McCollum is crucial for Karsiyaka. In a good team game in the first match of the final, he scored 21 points.
The Turkish basketball public expects the play in this match to speed up compared to the previous games played in Istanbul. This is also a potentially decisive match, in case of victory, Efes will celebrate the new, 16th championship title of Turkey, but Karsiyaka will try to extend the series of finals. And in the eventual fourth game of the final, they would be the host, two days later.