Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 7 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.
Bold predictions for Round 7
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4 Minute de lecture
Zizic will lead Efes to much-needed win
By Javier Gancedo
When Anadolu Efes Istanbul hosts Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 7 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, one player to keep a close eye on is the home team's center, Ante Zizic. The Croatian big man had an impressive game on the road against Virtus Segafredo Bologna last week, despite losing, as he posted 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist for a performance index rating of 19. Then, last weekend, Zizic had a monster game in the Turkish League, recording a 22-point, 17-rebound as Efes won 73-93 at Samsunspor. Given Zizic's elite pick-and-roll skills, he has all the qualities needed to form a deadly partnership with pass-first guard Darius Thompson, and I expect Efes's No. 41 to dominate against Kevarrius Hayes when Zalgiris comes to town.
Zalgiris's Evans will rock Istanbul
By Frankie Sachs
Anadolu Efes Istanbul has been a team that up-and-coming guards love to face so that they can measure themselves against the best. As a EuroLeague rookie, Keenan Evans had a strong game against Efes with 12 points and 9 assists in December 2021, even outshining Vasilije Micic (4 points, -4 PIR), though Shane Larkin was on fire with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (PIR 37). Last season, Evans had his worst game against Efes with season-lows (not counting the game he left injured after 57 seconds) of 4 points and a PIR of 3. Zalgiris lost 60-86 as Micic posted 19 and 5 (PIR 23). Larkin missed that game. This week, Evans will play at Sinan Erdem Hall for the first time and match up against Larkin for the second. Evans, 26, is in great form and one way to establish himself among the elite guards in the competition is to carry Zalgiris to a victory in Istanbul and by winning his head-to-head matchup against Larkin. I am putting my chips on Evans.
Partizan's Caboclo will make instant impression
By Geoff Gillingham
Bruno Caboclo may have only just joined Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, but he is available for this Thursday night's game against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and I expect him to make a winning impact for his new team. Admittedly, Partizan head coach Zeljko Obradovic may opt to introduce his new Brazilian big man at a slower rate than I am imagining, but if the game is tight – particularly in the second half – I can envisage Caboclo being given a chance to wreak havoc. Caboclo made an immediate impression upon joining ratiopharm Ulm last season, scoring 18 points and grabbing 8 rebounds on his BKT EuroCup debut in Round 10 against Umana Reyer Venice, and I think he has the chance to do damage against Fenerbahce in Europe's premier club basketball competition. If Coach Obradovic does decide to give Caboclo extended minutes on his debut, I believe the 28-year-old will end up having a dominant night against Johnathan Motley and Georgios Papagiannis.
Virtus's streak will end in Madrid
By Frank Lawlor
The feel-good story of the season so far, Virtus Segafredo Bologna sitting tied for second place (5-1) with a five-game winning streak, runs into the wall that is Real Madrid (6-0) on Thursday. Last time in the Spanish capital, in its first visit there in 20 years, Virtus won 91-95, a slap that Real Madrid isn't likely to forget. October MVP Toko Shengelia will be a tough nut to crack for the hosts, as will veteran shooter Marco Belinelli and live-wire swingman Isaia Cordinier. But between two very confident teams right now, I'll go with the one that is rested, unbeaten and playing at home. Real has a significant advantage in size, with 2.20-meter superstar Walter Tavares not having broke out yet this season – he will soon – while 2.13 Vincent Poirier ranks fourth in per-minute PIR, just ahead of Shengelia, Virtus's tallest player at 2.06. Virtus will likely have to both rebound and shoot from deep better than Real, a tall order on the road against the champs.
Crvena Zvezda will click offensively, stun Barca
By Igor Petrinovic
It has been a disappointing start of the season for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2-4) and its fans, but there is a sense that this team is coming into its own. It all starts with arguably the most imaginative playmaking duo in the league, veteran Milos Teodosic and youngster Yago Dos Santos. Last week, Teodosic shined with a double-double of 16 points and 11 assists while Yago is finding his groove and getting minutes under the new head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos. What's more, both have been getting more in tune with big men Joel Bolomboy and Mike Tobey, setting them up for one easy basket after another. Add an improved play of Shabazz Napier and the return of Nemanja Nedovic from hamstring injury, and Zvezda will surely not lack weapons at Palau Blaugrana. Of course, Barcelona is 5-1 for a reason and has a lot of size and experience, but Zvezda has plenty of that, too. And the visitors should have restored confidence previously shaken by squandering big leads in three losses. I say it all finally clicks for Zvezda, which stuns Barcelona on the road.