Bayern want to keep Efes Istanbul at distance

Only six game days remain until the end of the regular season, with three home and three away games left - FC Bayern Basketball is in the final stretch of the EuroLeague regular season. Despite numerous challenges, their big goal - securing a spot in the playoffs or play-ins - remains within reach. As the reigning German champion, Bayern currently holds fifth place (17-11) and has a three-game lead over 11th place, the first position outside the playoff spots.

Gordie Herbert: Team Defense Against Offensive Talent

Heading into Round 29, two-time EuroLeague champion Efes Istanbul sits just below the playoff line (14-14), tied with last year’s finalist Real Madrid. Efes will be Bayern’s next opponent this Friday (8:30 PM, free on MagentaSport) in the long-sold-out SAP Garden. In the domestic league, Bayern will then face Ulm on Monday evening (8 PM, BMW Park) in a head-to-head battle for sole possession of first place.

Anadolu Efes boasts one of the deepest rosters in the league, and their offensive quality was on full display in the first matchup. The home-strong Turkish side (9-5) outlasted Bayern back then, as the German champions squandered their chance to win in the final quarter and fell 90-101 (48-56).

"We've made progress defensively in recent games and have been defending better as a unit. That will be crucial: our team defense and one-on-one matchups," says FC Bayern head coach Gordon Herbert ahead of the rematch. "Efes is one of the best offensive teams in the league. Their talent on offense is incredible, and they have great size and physicality. But we also need to play our game and make sure Efes has to adjust to us."

Shane Larkin and Co-MVP Vincent Poirier

Efes can easily assemble an All-Star five with the likes of Shane Larkin (10.1 PPG), who played a key role in their 2021 and 2022 EuroLeague titles alongside Rodrigue Beaubois (8.4 PPG, 45.4% 3PT). Vincent Poirier (9.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG), who joined from Real Madrid, adds strength inside, while athletic top scorer Elijah Bryant (13.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG) and playmaking guard Darius Thompson (10.2 PPG, 4.7 APG) round out the elite core.

Despite their stacked roster, Efes has had an inconsistent season, leading to a coaching change in January, with Luca Banchi taking over. The team also reinforced itself with NBA returnee Perry Dozier (Minnesota, previously Partizan, 7.4 PPG). They have won three of their last four games, including a 79-73 victory over Real Madrid and a dominant 89-68 win over Bologna last week. Bryant (21 points) and Poirier (18 points) led the way in that game.

The 2.13m French center Poirier also grabbed 13 rebounds and shared EuroLeague MVP of the round honors with Bayern’s own top scorer, Carsen Edwards (19.9 PPG). Bayern will face another key challenge inside against Efes’ U.S. center Dan Oturu (8.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG).

While Efes will have their full roster available, Bayern continues to be without Devin Booker and Oscar da Silva.