Two teams with aspirations much higher than their current standing will wrestle over a valuable victory when Anadolu Efes Istanbul (4-5) receives a visit from Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (3-5), which has lost three in a row on the road.
Erdem Can, Efes: 'Our defensive concentration must be at the highest level'
Seasons
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 10 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Legendary Partizan play caller Zeljko Obradovic faces a challenge from a man who knows him better than most: Efes boss Erdem Can served as his assistant at Fenerbahce seven years. On the court, a key duel will take place between EuroLeague rookie Derek Willis of Efes and Partizan's Zach LeDay. Willis has averaged 7.0 rebounds and a PIR of 15.7 in his last three games. LeDay has scored in double digits in seven of his last eight games.
Erdem Can, Efes head coach
"Partizan is the second highest scoring team in the EuroLeague. They are a team that plays with a high tempo and has the ability to score easily in all positions. It’s a game in which our defensive concentration must be at the highest level. As known we have some injury problems. Two injured players Elijah Bryant and Tibor Pleiss will not play against Partizan while Shane Larkin will be on court despite his injury."
Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan head coach
"A very important game against a very good team. Some information is saying that they have problems like us with injured players, that will all be known on the game day. Efes is a team that has many qualities both offensively and defensively, it is made for the highest goals. I know the coach, he was my assistant in Fenerbahce for seven years and I need to go back and start from what is the weakest in our game, which is the defense. We have to play much better defense if we want to win the game."
Tyrique Jones, Efes player
"Partizan is a very talented team. We will fight to defend our home court."
Mateusz Ponitka, Partizan player
"I expect a tough game, like every game in the EuroLeague. Every match is difficult, but this is the highest level of basketball, so we should be ready for a tough fight. We have to be ready to compete and stay together. They have their problems, we have our problems, but at the end of the day, we go there to fight and win the game."