Efes went down fighting in the Spanish capital last Wednesday as it was beaten 77-70 by Real Madrid in Game One. “Going down fighting” is a conceited euphemism for losing, so it is incumbent upon Efes to beat the Italians on its home turf this evening to get back on track.But Montepaschi is no spring chicken. It beat visiting Maccabi Electra of Israel 76-72 last week and is therefore tied for first place with Real in Group F. And with the vast experience of off-season signing Nikos Zisis, Montepaschi is capable of giving Efes as much as it gets and even more -- even in İstanbul.
Efes therefore faces a Herculean task this evening because anything short of victory could jeopardize its chances of qualifying for the next stage. Efes shooting guard Charles Smith was the overall top scorer with 18 points in the Madrid match a week ago today but other players -- shooting guard Bootsy Thornton, big men Kaya Peker and Mario Kasun and Co. -- must also prove their worth this evening because Efes needs points, plenty of them, to stay alive.
In other Euroleague Top 16 match-ups today it is Partizan vs. Regal FC Barcelona in Group E; Zalgiris vs. CSKA Moscow and Unicaja vs. Asseco Prokom in Group G; and Olympiakos vs. BC Khimki in Group H.
