Efes (7-13) is desperate to restart its playoff ambitions by ending a seven-game losing streak with a visit from Virtus (14-6).
Erdem Can, Efes: 'They have valuable players in every position'
Seasons
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 21 of 34
Regular Season
Anadolu Efes IstanbulEFS
9975
Virtus Segafredo BolognaVIR
Overview
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The visitors will look for former Efes man Bryant Dunston to continue his strong form in the paint, after recording PIRs of 18 and 15 in the last two games. Efes can always rely upon the firepower of Shane Larkin (18.5 points per game), but needs a big collective improvement defensively as it has averaged a league-high 89.3 points allowed per game. Virtus sharpshooter Marco Belinelli will hope to profit from that weakness in the host by repeating the long-range scoring accuracy – 17 points on 3-of-3 from three-point range – that helped his team to a 93-81 win over Efes in November.
Erdem Can, Efes head coach
"Virtus Segafredo Bologna is one of the teams having the best season so far in EuroLeague. They play well as a team. They have valuable players in every position. A hard fight awaits us..."
Luca Banchi, Virtus head coach
"Tomorrow's game in Istanbul against Efes comes at a time when both teams will be looking for a success that, in the case of our opponents, has been missing for seven consecutive rounds, despite a roster that started with the ambition to aspire to the top of the standings. Compared to the first game, Efes has made changes with the arrival of Daum and Oturu, able to add further versatility and physicality to an already well-equipped roster where the scoring qualities of players of the caliber of Larkin, Beaubois, Bryant, Thompson and Clyburn stand out. We will focus all our energies to be able to interpret critically and effectively a game that promises to be complex also because of the very strong desire of our opponents to climb a ranking that, to date, does not do justice to their undisputed value."
Derek Willis, Efes player
"The game against Virtus Segafredo Bologna game will be tough. They are playing well and physical. We will have to match their physicality and be more aggressive to succeed. We are on the right path we just need to play strong for four quarters and limit our mistakes."
Marco Belinelli, Virtus player
"Efes is definitely a very dangerous team, they play good basketball and are a different team than in the first leg. They present a different roster, probably with some injuries, however they play well, an aggressive and fast basketball. On the road things will get a bit complicated for us, but despite that we will do everything we can to get off to a good start right away, a tough match awaits us both mentally and physically. We will try to do our best to come home with a win."