On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 8:30 PM local time, the OAKA Arena in Athens will host Game 1 of the highly anticipated EuroLeague playoff series between Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, third in the regular season, and Anadolu Efes Istanbul, who finished sixth but enter the postseason on a remarkable winning streak. This series promises not only technical quality but also deep narrative intrigue.
The benches will see two distinct coaching philosophies collide, with Ergin Ataman and Luca Banchi facing off. Despite their different styles, the two share a long-standing mutual respect. For Ataman, this is more than a tactical battle—it’s personal. With Efes, he built a modern EuroLeague dynasty, winning back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. Now, he aims to stop his former team’s resurgence.
This is shaping up to be a long and tightly contested series—far more balanced than the standings suggest. Panathinaikos boasts the intensity of the OAKA crowd and one of the league’s most dynamic offenses. Efes, meanwhile, arrives with eight straight wins and renewed confidence, having found cohesion just in time for the playoffs.
Officiating Game 1 will be Ilija Belosevic as crew chief, supported by Mehdi Difallah and Arturas Sukys.
Series schedule
Game 1 – April 22: PANATHINAIKOS vs EFES
Game 2 – April 24: PANATHINAIKOS vs EFES
Game 3 – TBA: EFES vs PANATHINAIKOS
Game 4 – TBA: EFES vs PANATHINAIKOS *
Game 5 – TBA: PANATHINAIKOS vs EFES *
Head-to-head: one win each, two contrasting stories
Each team claimed a win in the regular season, but under very different circumstances. Efes dominated the first meeting in Istanbul (Round 13), winning 93–67 in a game that exposed Panathinaikos’ vulnerabilities. Despite a quiet performance from Larkin, the Turkish side asserted itself physically and mentally, setting a club record with eight blocks.
The rematch in Athens in late February (Round 26) was a show of force from Panathinaikos. The final score (104–89) only hints at the dominance, driven by Kendrick Nunn’s 36-point outburst—30 of which came in the second half. Nunn shot 7/10 from two, 5/11 from three, and a perfect 7/7 from the line. Supporting him were Hernangomez, Sloukas, and Osman, all scoring in double figures and contributing to a flowing, high-octane offense.
Both teams have built their campaigns on strong home records: Panathinaikos went 14–3 at OAKA, while Efes was 12–5 in Istanbul. On the road, however, they share an identical 8–9 record.
By the numbers: offense meets efficiency
Panathinaikos enters the playoffs with the best offense in the EuroLeague, averaging 88.4 points per game, shooting 58.8% from two-point range, and excelling in defensive rebounding and steals. Kendrick Nunn leads the league in points (21.1) and three-pointers made per game (3.9), ranking fifth in average efficiency (20.3). Hernangomez is one of the top rebounders (6.7 per game), while Sloukas, Mitoglou, and Gabriel provide balance and versatility. Despite the absence of Mathias Lessort, the team has adapted well by leveraging stretch bigs and an elite backcourt.
Efes, meanwhile, has rediscovered its identity under Banchi. They’ve won eight in a row—including on the road against Partizan and Red Star—and now boast strong offensive balance. The team averages 86.8 points, shoots 59% on two-pointers and 38.9% from deep, ranks first in blocks (3.9 per game), and allows the fewest rebounds to opponents (31 per game). Larkin, now fully recovered, is the emotional and tactical anchor, while Bryant and Dozier add defensive stability and shooting. The loss of Beaubois removes an element of unpredictability, but Poirier under the rim is set to play a major role, especially with Lessort out.
Tactical keys: perimeter defense, tempo control, and mental endurance
One of the main challenges for Panathinaikos will be containing Efes’ creative backcourt. Larkin, Bryant, and Thompson can match the Greek team’s depth, but the Turkish side must maintain defensive focus—a trait they’ve shown only sporadically. The OAKA crowd fuels Panathinaikos early, so avoiding a slow start will be critical for Banchi’s men. Slowing the pace, forcing half-court execution, and limiting runs will be essential.
Rebounding is another major battleground. Without Lessort, Panathinaikos may struggle in the paint, where Poirier could impose his presence not just as a scorer but as a facilitator. Efes will experiment with rotations, looking for quality minutes from Smits and Oturu, though their defensive consistency remains a question. Banchi may reduce his rotation to just eight players—each decision will count.
On the Panathinaikos side, mental preparation and resilience are strengths. Ataman knows how to manipulate tension and motivation—often with provocative or inflammatory remarks that shift pressure. His personal history with Efes adds another layer of intensity to the series.
Key individual battles
All eyes will be on Kendrick Nunn. PJ Dozier will be tasked with slowing him down, but it will take a collective effort to disrupt his rhythm. The Larkin-Sloukas matchup could shape the series—flair versus control. Keep an eye on Jerian Grant, who is in excellent form and could prove decisive in tight moments. Former Efes players Osman and Pleiss, now wearing Panathinaikos green, may also provide symbolic and strategic impact.
Experience and emotional control
Panathinaikos has built a contender’s identity, especially at home, with deep rotations and playoff composure. Efes, by contrast, has taken a rockier path but arrives with momentum and veteran leadership. The margin for error is razor-thin—dropping both games in Athens would make things extremely difficult.
Emotional control will be essential. OAKA can swing momentum in seconds, and Panathinaikos thrives on surges and scoring runs. Efes must remain composed, particularly when the home crowd reaches its fever pitch.
Injury report
Panathinaikos will be without Mathias Lessort, their defensive anchor, and Marius Grigonis. Efes is missing Rodrigue Beaubois, whose shot-making and leadership could be sorely missed over a long, tactical series.
Post your comment
Visualizza commenti