As the EuroLeague, the premier club-based basketball competitors in Europe, approaches the ultimate two weeks of the common season, the race for playoff and play-in spots has intensified.
Representing Türkiye, each Fenerbahçe Beko and Anadolu Efes are contenders in these essential final two weeks.
Fenerbahçe Beko purpose for a direct playoff berth, whereas Anadolu Efes will struggle to safe a play-in spot.
Their showdown is ready for Friday in an Istanbul derby.
The ongoing common season, spanning 34 weeks with 18 groups, has launched a brand new playoff format.
Inspired by the NBA, this technique grants direct playoff entry to the highest six groups.
Teams rating seventh to tenth have interaction in play-in matches.
Fenerbahçe Beko presently maintain the fifth spot, positioning them favorably for a direct playoff entry.
Their upcoming matches in opposition to Anadolu Efes and Olympiakos may seal their playoff destiny with a victory.
An intriguing state of affairs unfolds the place Fenerbahçe Beko may safe their playoff spot even earlier than going through Anadolu Efes on Friday.
If Maccabi Playtika lose to Barcelona on Thursday, Fenerbahçe Beko will safe a top-six end.
Should Fenerbahçe fail to safe a direct playoff spot, they are going to pivot to the play-in route, the place the remaining 5 tickets for playoff berths are up for grabs within the final two weeks.
Leading the common season, Real Madrid are set for the playoffs.
The remaining 5 tickets are contested by Panathinaikos AKTOR, Monaco, Barcelona, Fenerbahçe Beko, Olympiakos and Maccabi Playtika.
This week’s matchups will decide the highest six immediately coming into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Maccabi Playtika’s destiny hinges on securing the seventh spot for the play-in.
The debut of the play-in system sees seven groups vying intensely. Virtus Segafredo Bologna has already secured their play-in spot, aiming to solidify their playoff rivalry from the eighth place.
The battle intensifies for the remaining two play-in spots amongst seven contenders. If Anadolu Efes and Baskonia win their remaining matches, they are going to clinch the play-in spots.
Anadolu Efes face Fenerbahçe Beko and Kızılyıldız, whereas Baskonia takes on Real Madrid and Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Baskonia wants one win to enter the play-in, however Anadolu Efes might have greater than that.
Following intently behind Anadolu Efes are Zalgiris, EA7 Emporio Armani, Partizan, Valencia and Bayern Munich.
The ultimate two weeks may see 5 groups tied in factors, triggering the tiebreaker system.
Teams outdoors the highest three, together with Kızılyıldız, LDLC ASVEL and Alba Berlin, have minimal possibilities of impacting the playoffs.
The high 5, together with Fenerbahçe Beko, vie for home-court benefit within the playoffs.
Apart from Real Madrid securing the highest spot, the battle for the remaining three tickets entails Panathinaikos AKTOR, Monaco, Barcelona, Fenerbahçe Beko and Olympiakos, all shut in victories.
Notably, Zeljko Obradovic, head coach of Partizan, the legendary and most profitable group in EuroLeague historical past, faces a uncommon prospect of lacking the playoffs after a decade.
In the upcoming weeks, the play-in contenders will vie for a spot within the Final Four in Berlin, Germany.
The common season concludes on April 12, adopted by the play-in matches on April 16 and 19.
The playoffs, the place groups want three wins to advance to the Final Four, shall be held from April 23 to May 8. The Final Four itself takes place from May 24 to 26 on the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
