Efes tried it's best last week, but couldn't win Olimpia Milano at home. The Turkish side lost 69-72 despite their effort in the last quarter. Efes was trailing from the second period to 17 points and managed to come back and even take the lead. But couldn't stop Sergio Rodriguez that led his team to a 2-10 run that sealed the fate of the match. Besides Vasilije Micic and his amazing performance with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, Rodrigue Beaubois added 13 points and Bryant Dunston posted 11 points and 8 rebounds, no-one else helped Efes. 

Barcelona might not be at it's best lately, but it is still a tough opponent for Efes. At least as long as Larkin is not performing as he used to do. And if Efes wants to claim everything from tonight's clash they must control the glass. And restrained Nick Kalathes. the Greek guard is not Barca's main threat, but he is the one that helps every other player to perform at their best.

Barcelona was shocked by Maccabi Tel Aviv at the final shot. The Spanish side suffered a loss 67-68 on Friday in a thriller fashion. All went wrong from the beginning for the hosts, as they lost Brandon Davies due to a last-minute injury. Nicola Mirotic with a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) and Kyle Kuric with 12 points while Nick Calathes had 11 points and 4 assists tried their best. But wasn't enough apparently.  

Barcelona needs to return in winning mode, but tonight is facing a team in desperate need of a win also. The visitors a far better team, but is underachieving lately. What they need is their key players such as Nick Kalathes and Nicola Mirotic to perform as usual. The first one to control the pace and dish some assists, while Mirotic to be the one to lead his teammates at offense. 

The overall record in Euroleague since 2000, is Anadolu Efes v Barcelona 9-12.

Let's take a look at main and special odds markets offered at bet365 website :

• FullTime Result : 2.20 (Anadolu Efes) - 1.71 (Barcelona)
• Over/Under 153.5 points : 1.90 (Over) - 1.90 (Under)
• Race to 20 points: 1.90 (Anadolu Efes) - 1.76 (Barcelona)

*bet365 odds as offered at 22/12, 15:00CET (subject to change without prior notice) | 18+, T&Cs Apply, BeGambleAware.org

Two of Euroleageu's masterminds are going to face each other tonight at Sinan Erdem Dome. Anadolu Efes' Vasilije Micic is the leader of the home team when it comes to points and assists. He averages 14.2 points and 4.7 assists per game, but most important he is the leader in this season's campaign for the Turkish side. On the other side Nick Calathes even though he is in his first season at Barcelona, he already made his mark. The Greek guard is dishing 7.2 assists and scores 7.2 points per game. and of course, is the one that dictates the pace for The Catalans. Given that the winner will be the team that will dictate the game's tempo, the role of those two will be extremely important.