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Udoh might make a comeback

Fenerbahce played in Russia two days ago, but since they had a charter flight, the fatigue was reduced. Udoh wasn't playing, Vesely struggled with the penalties, but they got the points. They beat Galatasaray twice this season already, by 16 and 18 points

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Both teams played two days ago, and both of them won. Fenerbahce got the points in Kazan and now have 12-7 score, continuing the race for the first four places for the playoffs. Considering that CSKA lose more often lately, the leading place isn't that far off either, just two wins away. Galatasaray have a score of 6-13, so twice the defeats of their bitter rival, so their hopes of getting to the playoffs, which is four wins away, is truly minimal. No wonder when you know their road score is 0-8.

Fener and Galata played each other twice this season already. They played a Euroleague game in the European part of Istanbul, in Galatasaray's arena, and Fener had a walk in the park with 103 points, winning by 16. That was the fourth round and Galatasaray still had Smith and Dentmon, but struggled with their rotation. Fenerbahce had three players who hit over 20 points (Sloukas 24, Udoh 21+13, Dixon 22), so Bogdanović's absence wasn't that noticeable.

The league game was played in Fenerbahce's arena, and they won by 18 with 22+10 by Vesely. In the meantime, Udoh got injured, and Bogdanović came back. Galata fired both of their point guards and brought Fitipaldo who fit in the team better than fine, so now they look better, more consistent and competitive. 

Fenerbahce ordered a first charter flight this season to go play against UNICS. They knew they had to come back to Istanbul as soon as possible to get ready for this derby. Euroleague is coming to its final stage, and every game becomes crucial. They were leading against UNICS from the beginning to the end, struggled a bit defensively in the second half, but with 11/22 three-pointers and 63% two-pointers, and only 10 turnovers, (UNICS had 17), they could hardly lose the game. Datome hit 18, Bogdanović is getting his form back, but had 16 with 6/8 from the floor, Vesely had 15, but he only played 19 minutes because he had five fouls, so Obradović had to finish the game with the young Ahmet Duverioglou. He hit two important throws in the last minute. 

- We've had lots of ups and downs in the game. Some players are playing basketball, and some act like they never held a ball before. It's all about focus and decisions. I agree that we're a good team if we're focused for 40 minutes, if not, then we can lose to anyone - Obradović was saying after 86-81, and what stands out is that they allowed Langford only five shots from the floor (none of them a two-pointer), and only 11 points.

- He had 18 shots and 8 throws per game so far, so I'm pleased with that.

As for Udoh, the Turkish press make it sound like he could play today, but that will be decided before the game starts. Anthony Bennett played for the first time in Russia, and had 0/2 shots from the floor in eight minutes he spent there.

Galatasaray are coming to the other side of the city after their best game this season. They crushed Maccabi by 40 points in a match where they had 61% two-pointers and 60% three-pointers (12/20), 29 assists, and only eight turnovers. The two centers, Pleiß and Tyus had 34 points total, with 17/22 shots successful. There's nothing decent to be said about Maccabi's defense.

- In some games, everything works, and this was one of those. We pressured their back guards from the start with Köksal and Güler, and didn't allow them easy shots by double-teaming them. We played exceptionally well in the offense - Ataman said, aware that Fenerbahce and Maccabi can't be compared, and that this game is going to be completely different.

- Fenerbahce is a different team, a defensive team. That's a derby. We're going to play and see what happens.