Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade will look to end its season on a winning note when it hosts Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which will clinch fifth place in the standings if it wins.
Keys to victory: Zvezda vs. Efes
Zvezda must control the pace and make shots
The recipe to beating Efes may sound simple, though, against the reigning champs, it is surely not. While Efes is second in the league in scoring 83.0 points per game, Zvezda is third from the bottom with 73.2 points. Even though Efes is coming off a Wednesday game, its players are most comfortable in a fast-paced game. If Efes can control the pace and grind out half-court possessions, its chances improve, especially at home. Even so, the hosts must knock down a few more threes than usual; Zvezda is last in the league in three-point accuracy at 32.4%.
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Cleaning the glass could be crucial for Efes
One of Efes’s weaknesses this season has been rebounding. Coach Ataman’s men have been outrebounded by 2.2 boards per game, on average, and have allowed the second-most offensive rebounds per game in the league (11.1). What’s more, Zvezda thrives on the offensive glass, averaging 11.1 per game, which are third-most in the league. If Efes’s bigs can lock up the glass and get the team going in transition, it could make a big difference in Belgrade.