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Both teams disappointed with Cup perfomances

Rebounding and transition are both team's strongsuit. Both coaches agreed that is what they need to stop the opponents and we just have to see how exactly they plan on doing that

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Efes decided to end their 7-game winning run in the worst possible moment. The Cup final against Banvit should have been a sure win for Perasovic's team but they failed just when they needed to do their best. Banvit's defense trashed them, while their defense had no solution for Theodore.

- We made too many mistakes in offense and we let them grab a lot of offensive rebounds, which is normally out strong suit. Ever since they took the lead in the 1st quarter, they gained confidence and were then hard to catch up with - Peras said.

They need to shift focus on Euroleague now as there is a big race going on for the Top 8. One of their direct rivals in that race is visiting Istanbul now. Efes got a feel of Baskonia's game in the first meeting of the season in Vitoria. The Turkish team had the victory on a platter but ended up playing badly down the stretch and let Baskonia pull through. 

- We are to play a talented team which is playing a fast-paced game and is going for a lot of points. The key for us will therefore be stopping their counterattacks. We need to be very smart about that.

Slowing the pace down when you have someone like Huertel at point guard position is tough, especially since he will try and prove himself today against his former team. Telling how that will turn out is tough since he is always either the worst or the best player on the floor. There is no middle ground with him. Even more important for Efes is rebound control. They have been the top EL team in that segment throughout the season but Baskonia are at the top as well. It's clear that rebounding is one of the key segments of this game.

Baskonia suffered a bad knock-out in the King's Cup. Though they lost to Real, who went on to clinch the title, it was almost unbelievable to watch them squander away the lead in the end to disappoint the arena packed with their fans. 

- We need to learn some lessons from that game, especially when it comes to ball control in key moments. We need to be much smarter there - coach Alonso said. 

He definitely has to take some responsibility for that because he kept Voughtmann on the floor, desipte the fact he was clearly lost and was recording turnover after turnover. Jaka Blazic is to make a comeback today. He couldn't play in the King's Cup. Shengelia is still out which is a handicap as he turned out to possibly be the most important player on this team. His absence will be especially obvious today since Efes have Brown and Thomas at 4, which will be difficult for Baskonia to defend.

- They're very dangerous with Brown at 5. They are fast, control offensive rebounding and we need to try and control that. Physically, we're good and should not have problems. 

The only real problem today is Shengelia's injury. Baskonia will have to go either with 5s or Hang/Budinger at position 5. Efes have very physically strong and versatile players there and that seems to be their upper hand here.