Jasikevicius evaluates slow Anadolu Efes' start, jokes about Ataman / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Mirotic and Kyle Kuric will not be traveling to Istanbul.

Credit: KKF Scanpix Baltics, Reuters-Scanpix Credit KKF Scanpix Baltics, Reuters-Scanpix

Ahead of one of the most anticipated EuroLeague battles between back-to-back champions Anadolu Efes Istanbul and reigning third-place winners FC Barcelona, Sarunas Jasikevicius warned his team that Efes is accustomed to the slow start and three losses in a row mean nothing to them.

"It seems that they always start like this, then they raise their level of play a lot. They are quite comfortable in this situation. You don't have to look at the latest results, they have players who have been together for years, deciding games with a lot of talent. We will have to suffer, for sure," he said before Thursday's game, via AS.com.

Anadolu Efes have been without Shane Larkin since the 2022-23 season started. The star guard is still recovering after surgery on his finger. Though, the club's GM Alper Yilmaz previously said that Efes expect Larkin to be with the team around November 15-20.

Saras was asked about chances to see Larkin in a duel against Barca.

"I don't know if Shane Larkin will play. Tonight, I'm calling Ergin Ataman to find out, but I don't think he'll pick up the phone," Jasikevicius responded in a joking manner.

The jokes were put aside when the Lithuanian specialist talked about the qualities of Anadolu Efes.

"When someone wins the EuroLeague twice, they are the team to beat. You have to respect the champions.

"They are a team that everyone knows what they are going to do. A lot of their game goes through Vasilije Micic and Will Clyburn. Rodrigue Beaubois and Elijah Bryant put up a lot of points, meanwhile, Tibor Pleiss and Ante Zizic can hurt you," Saras praised his upcoming opponents.

The 46-year-old coach also provided the update on who is not traveling with the team to Istanbul.

"Nikola Mirotic will not travel, neither Kyle Kuric, whose attendance in the match was scheduled: he felt discomfort in his right shoulder at the end of training and is awaiting medical tests," Saras said.

The Anadolu Efes-Barcelona game is tomorrow (November 17), at 18:30 CET.

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