Fenerbahce has already secured their place in the Turkish Basketball Super League Finals, setting the stage for their next opponent. In the other semi-final series, Anadolu Efes, coached by Luca Banchi, holds a 2-1 lead over Besiktas and is now just one victory away from advancing to the championship round. The series has been intensely competitive, with the upcoming Game 4 promising to be a crucial decider.

In the pivotal Game 3, hosted by Anadolu Efes, the home team clinched a significant 94-87 win, giving them the 2-1 series advantage. This game notably took place in front of Anadolu Efes' former head coach, Ergin Ataman. For the winning side, Dan Oturu delivered a strong performance with 21 points and 5 rebounds, while Jordan Nwora contributed 19 points. Derek Willis and Shane Larkin also added 13 points each to Efes's tally. On the Besiktas side, Derek Needham led his team's efforts with 17 points and 7 assists in a losing cause.

The semi-final series began with Anadolu Efes securing a narrow 90-87 victory in Game 1, a match highlighted by Shane Larkin's exceptional 35-point contribution. However, Besiktas responded emphatically in Game 2, dominating Anadolu Efes with a convincing 97-70 win to level the series at 1-1. With Anadolu Efes now leading 2-1 after their Game 3 triumph, the fourth game, scheduled for June 12, 2025, at 19:30 CET at Efes's home arena, will be critical. A victory for Anadolu Efes would see them advance to the finals against Fenerbahce, where they would be hoping to seek revenge for a defeat in the previous year's finals.

Anadolu Efes's journey through the 2024-25 season has been marked by periods of inconsistency. This trait was evident in their 2-0 quarterfinal win against Mersin and has continued into the current series with Besiktas. Game 3 particularly showcased this unpredictability: Efes established a commanding 19-point lead and appeared to be in complete control, only for Besiktas to stage a comeback, narrowing the gap to just four points. In these decisive moments, Shane Larkin once again proved instrumental for Efes, hitting a crucial three-pointer and drawing fouls to secure vital points from the free-throw line, ultimately sealing the victory.

Besiktas, under the guidance of coach Dusan Alimpijevic, can reflect positively on their season's accomplishments, which include a 2-0 series sweep against Galatasaray in the quarterfinals. Despite losing Game 1 of the semi-finals, they demonstrated their resilience with a dominant performance in Game 2. However, in Game 3, Besiktas was perceived to have started their rally too late, and their defensive efforts were found wanting. Coach Alimpijevic had previously expressed to Besiktas supporters his confidence that the series would return to their home court, a statement that now necessitates a win in Game 4 to force a deciding Game 5.

To extend the series, Besiktas will need to address several areas of concern, including improving their shooting percentages and elevating their defensive intensity, which were factors in their Game 3 loss. They also contend with what appears to be a more limited pool of consistent contributors compared to their rivals. There is a general acknowledgment that Anadolu Efes possesses a roster with greater depth and talent, which could significantly influence the outcome of the upcoming crucial game.

Historically, these two Istanbul-based rivals have faced each other six times during the current season leading up to this semi-final encounter, with each team securing three victories, underscoring their closely matched rivalry. Anadolu Efes's recent win in Game 3 has now given them the edge in this playoff series. In terms of player availability, Anadolu Efes will be hampered by the absence of the injured Rodrigue Beaubois. Additionally, their team selection is constrained by the league's regulations regarding foreign players. In contrast, Besiktas has reported no injuries among their squad.

Looking ahead to Game 4, Anadolu Efes benefits from playing on their home court, providing them with an ideal opportunity to clinch their spot in the Turkish Basketball Super League Finals. Besiktas, having expended considerable energy in the hard-fought previous game, may face challenges related to player fatigue and a shorter rotation. To overcome Anadolu Efes and push the series to a fifth and final game, Besiktas will likely need to deliver what could be considered their best performance of the season.