Anadolu Efes boost hopes for EuroLeague play-in with thrilling 82 - 80 Istanbul derby win against Fenerbahce Beko

By Can Erozden

Visitors Anadolu Efes on Friday bagged a thrilling and valuable Istanbul derby win by 82 - 80 against playoff-bound Fenerbahce Beko as the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season's end is near.

Anadolu Efes, who survived late drama at Fenerbahce Beko's home court, were led by Will Clyburn, who scored 21 points.

The winners of the derby have taken a big step toward securing a play-in berth -- a knockout stage prior to the playoffs.

American-Turkish playmaker Shane Larkin racked up 15 points for Anadolu Efes, and his French teammate, Rodrigue Beaubois, had 10 points.

Scottie Wilbekin had 17 for Fenerbahce Beko. Marko Guduric scored 15 and Georgios Papagiannis added 13 points in the showdown.

In Round 34, which is the final round of the regular season, Anadolu Efes will host Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on April 11.

The fixture at Istanbul's Sinan Erdem Sports Hall is irrelevant for Crvena Zvezda as the Serbian club have already been eliminated.

Anadolu Efes are 10th in the EuroLeague standings, improving to 16 - 17 after the derby victory. They can clinch a play-in spot with a win against Crvena Zvezda next week.

Fenerbahce Beko will finish in the top six with a 20-13.

On April 12, Fenerbahce Beko will visit Greek club Olympiacos to conclude the regular season.

In addition to the EuroLeague, leaders Real Madrid, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Monaco, Barcelona, Olympiacos, and Fenerbahce Beko booked their places in the playoffs.

Israel's Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv are seventh with 19 wins and are in the play-in. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Virtus Segafredo Bologna are ranked above Anadolu Efes with 17 wins each.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (11th) and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (12th) are fighting to get in the play-in. Both are going into the regular season's finale at 15 – 18.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv will face EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Belgrade on April 11, and Partizan will host Valencia Basket on April 12 at the Serbian capital's Stark Arena.

The top six during the regular season and the two survivors of the play-in showdowns will meet in a best-of-five playoff series between April 23 and May 8.

- Friday's results:

Fenerbahce Beko - Anadolu Efes: 80 - 82

Real Madrid - Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz: 91 - 95

Bayern Munich - Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens: 75 - 82

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan - Virtus Segafredo Bologna: 90 - 75