Check out the predictions by EuroLeague.net staff members for the Play-In Showdown game between Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Virtus Segafredo Bologna.
Postseason predictions: Efes vs. Virtus
Efes to keep on rolling
by Geoff Gillingham
There's been no stopping Efes ever since Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to the role of head coach, going 8-2 in the EuroLeague and 19-3 overall. It was a similar story for Virtus in the first half of the campaign when it occupied a top-four spot in the standings, but a major slide, capped by a seven-game losing streak to end the regular season, has put a real dampener on things for Luca Banchi's men. I expect Efes to keep on rolling and quickly eliminate Virtus from postseason play, with Shane Larkin and Will Clyburn showing why they are still two of the best players in the EuroLeague. My pick: Efes.
Efes will play again on Friday
by Frankie Sachs
I have a soft spot for Efes, and not just because of my initials. But that is not why I am picking them. I think all the signs point to Efes. It is in better form than Virtus. The game is in Istanbul. Efes has the better roster. And its core has been together longer. Both teams underwent coaching changes this season that had amazing impacts. However, Virtus's was on the eve of the season and propelled it to a fantastic start. Efes's was more recent and the team is still enjoying the afterglow. Those factors should send Efes into the Play-In Showdown finale on Friday for a ticket to Madrid to face the reigning champs in the playoffs. My pick: Efes
Virtus has the upset tools
by Frank Lawlor
It will be anything but easy and it has to play near-perfect, but Virtus had a couple of double-digit road wins earlier this season over top-eight teams, Monaco and Baskonia, so nothing is out of the question here. Efes boasts more scorers and depth, but in a one-and-done game, it'll be down to the stars, and Virtus matches up decently. Daniel Hackett and Alessandro Pajola limited Shane Larkin to 7.5 PIR per game this season as these teams split double-digit home wins. Tornike Shengelia is a big-game player with experience over the Efes four-men. Marco Belinelli can shoot with anyone, including Rodrigue Beaubois and Elijah Bryant. And centers Bryant Dunston and Ante Zizic will relish going against their former team. Will Clyburn will be hard for Virtus to handle but if they can limit him, the visitors will have a chance. Streaks, as we know, are meant to be broken. My pick: Virtus in a shocker.
Efes will get the job done
by Javier Gancedo
Anadolu Efes Istanbul has been unstoppable since Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to the head coach spot. Shane Larkin is back to his very best level, Will Clyburn made it personal to show he is the best small forward in the competition, plus players like Elijah Byrant, Dan Oturu, Ercan Osmani and Tyrique Jones have found ways to contribute effectively at both ends of the floor. Efes has the experience: half of its roster won EuroLeague titles in either 2021, 2022 or both. Virtus has struggled in the last couple of months, sliding down to the 10th spot. Efes has been particularly strong at home, scoring over 100 points several times. It is on a five-game winning streak, 8-2 in the last 10, and undefeated at home since Coach Mijatovic arrived. I mark Efes as the heavy favorite in this one. My pick: Efes.
Efes earns the right to play on
by Igor Petrinovic
On one side there is a host on a five-game winning streak, playing in a packed Sinan Erdem Dome that will be rocking, for sure. On the other, there is a visiting team that has lost its last seven games and won just three times in the last 15 rounds. Looks like a no-brainer, but I would not just write off Virtus and its veterans Tornike Shengelia, Daniel Hackett and Iffe Lundberg. They simply do not have it in their DNA to just fold. They have plenty of fight in them, however, I don't think it will be enough. Efes is playing among the most eye-pleasing and efficient basketball anywhere since Tomislav Mijatovic took over as head coach, including making 11.3 three-pointers per game on 41.4% accuracy during that 10-game stretch. I believe Efes continues to display the dynamic basketball that got it into the Play-In Showdown and wins this one. My pick: Efes.