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Banvit secured the playoff, Besiktas not so much

The only thing Benvit have left to fight for is spot 5 which can potentially be very good. Besiktas would make things even more complicated with a defeat. How much exactly? That depends on the other results today

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Through a win over Pinar last round, Banvit reached what was their initial goal of the season - a spot in the playoffs. Since Darussafaka beat Istanbul away, they can no longer get any of the top 4 spots. What they can try and do in the remaining three rounds is get as better a position as possible. 

They currently sit in spot 5 and if things stay unchanged in the top 4, it definitely pays off to try and stay in that spot as that would see them face Darussafaka in QFs, which is definitely better than Galatasaray. In the potential semis, they would meet Efes, which is better than facing Fenerbahce. 

Banvit need to win both of the remaining two games or one if Pinar lose at least one of their last three games. In case of the same record, Banvit would be ahead. Like we said already, Banvit secured the playoffs and cannot drop the top 8 spot anymore. 

A win over Pinar, except for the important points, provided them with a boost of confidence because it's not every day that you beat the defending champions away. Allowing Pinar only 64 points was a real improvement for the defensive end, which struggled in the last few matches. 

They will need good defense today as well since Besiktas play a very fast-paced and productive game. Banvit experienced that in the first head-to-head when thy allowed 95 points. Banvit have in the meantime lost one of their key players - point guard Fortoson. Besiktas, on the other hand, have an even better offensive end since Wolters left and got replaced by Brown. 

Culpepper and him are a deadly duo but Galatasaray proved that there is a cure for them. Granted, Brown hit 15 points to be the second most efficient player on the team (Hamilton hit 19 but with 4-for-12 shooting from the floor). Culpepper, however, went for 2-for-9 from the floor and only 6 points.

Besiktas got limited to 71 points after opening the last quarter with 59 points and a 7-point lead. They had a 54-44 lead 28 minutes into the game but they allowed a 14-0 run when they had a 65-62 lead and that decided the game.

- We missed a whole string of matches from up close and that is why we lost. We failed to settled the game - coach Ulug said. 

The fact that defeat means a smaller chance of reaching the playoffs must hurt more than losing to the city rivals. They are 14-14 ahead of this round and another defeat is not recommendable as it would get everything even more complicated ahead of the last round. How complicated? It depends on other results of the day.

A win, on the other hand, is not guarantee either but it would help a lot ahead of the clash with direct rivals Büyükčekmece home. 

The team is complete ahead of this game. It will be crucial for coach Ulug and his players to stop the Slaughter-Moerman duo which has been crucial for Banvit since Fortson left. There is, of course, guard Johnson as well.