2024 EuroLeague Playoffs Preview: Panathinaikos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv – Only one of those team will qualify for the Final Four in Berlin.
In the basketball history of the Old Continent, the names of these teams are synonymous with basketball and achievements, especially in the early 21st century. Panathinaikos has won five out of the last six EuroLeague titles from 2002 to 2011. On the other hand, Maccabi Tel Aviv has ascended to the throne of Europe three times in the 21st century (2004, 2005, 2014).
Also, Panathinaikos haven’t made it to the Final Four since 2012. The “Pride of Israel” was last part of the Final Four in 2014 when they won the EuroLeague, so someone’s negative streak will have to come to an end.
Road to the EuroLeague playoffs
Panathinaikos has secured a playoff spot after a phenomenal season in which they competed with double-digit new players compared to the previous one. They recorded 23 wins and 11 losses, with emphasis on the fact that they suffered only two defeats in their last 20 games across all competitions.
Maccabi Tel Aviv played only one game in Israel, in the first round against Partizan. Due to the wartime situation, they had to leave their country and found their home in Belgrade. They reached the playoffs through the play-in over Baskonia after posting a 20-14 record in the regular season
Panathinaikos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv – H2H
This season head-to-head
- Panathinaikos – Maccabi Tel Aviv – 81:86 (72:72)
- Maccabi Tel Aviv – Panathinaikos – 90:75
Panathinaikos Strenghts and Weaknesses
- Strenghts – Throughout the season, Panathinaikos has displayed incredible defense, which has been emphasized on several occasions. It’s a fact that they derive immense confidence from their stellar defense. Over the last ten games of the regular season, they shot three-pointers as a team with a 42% success rate, which is impressive at this level. Perhaps their biggest advantage lies in having Kostas Sloukas in their lineup, an individual whose vast experience can tilt the balance at any moment.
- Weaknesses – Perhaps the biggest weakness of this team lies in the fact that head coach Ergin Ataman, despite having a large number of players, opts for a shortened rotation with the main focus on seven players. It’s essential for the rest of the team to contribute if they want to make an additional step forward. Additionally, a weakness may arise when the pressure of results highlights the fact that this team was assembled just before the start of the season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv Strenghts and Weaknesses
- Strenghts – Maccabi Tel Aviv has risen above the situation, and even when basketball isn’t the primary topic in Israel, they have managed to keep it from affecting their game. The greatest strength of this team lies in the fact that the core trio of Lorenzo Brown, Wade Baldwin and Bonzie Colson understands how each of their teammates operates.
Over the last ten games of the regular season, Maccabi Tel Aviv is the team that scores the most points per game in the EuroLeague (94.3). They lead in the number of two-point field goals made per game (26.2) as well as in assists (20.8). It’s crucial to mention that they also have the fewest turnovers per game in that span (10.8).
- Weaknesses – The fact that they don’t have home-court advantage in the playoffs is a disadvantage in itself. Additionally, the complicating factor is that their home games are played in Belgrade, while it’s well known what kind of home-court advantage Maccabi Tel Aviv has in Israel. Furthermore, Lorenzo Brown has only sporadically resembled the player from the previous season, and inconsistency in his form can negatively affect the team.
Panathinaikos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Three things to watch
- Kostas Sloukas vs Lorenzo Brown – This will be a particularly intriguing matchup, as it’s expected that these two will vie for dominance on the court in terms of who will dictate the pace of the game. The former left Olympiacos because he wanted a leadership role, and it seems that the change has brought him a lot of good, seamlessly fitting into Panathinaikos’ team. On the other hand, Lorenzo Brown is not performing as well as in the previous season, but when he plays like he did against Baskonia (7/8 from three-point range), it’s clear that he can change the outcome of any game.
- Wade Baldwin vs Kendrick Nunn – Wade Baldwin is in the running for the MVP award of the regular season, which speaks volumes about his performances. He averages 18 points and five assists, shooting an impressive 48% from two-point range and an excellent 41% from beyond the arc.
Kendrick Nunn comes from the NBA and doesn’t plan on just handing out his presence to anyone. Apart from his incredible offensive repertoire, he’s capable of driving any opponent crazy with his defense. It took him a little time to adjust to European basketball, but that’s no longer an issue he faces. He averages 15.4 points and three assists, but his presence on the court is much more significant than statistical parameters. - Josh Nebo vs Mathias Lessort – Josh Nebo was signed to a one-year contract with the possibility of an extension because the top brass at Maccabi Tel Aviv didn’t know what to expect from the American center. He has had a career-best season and has become the most sought-after center in the European market, serving as a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the court. He leads the EuroLeague in rebounds (7.2 per game) while adding 11 points on 66% shooting from the field.
Mathias Lessort has experienced a similar fate. After a career season with Partizan last year, few expected him to replicate such performances. However, he dispelled all doubts and played an impressive season, averaging 13.6 points and six rebounds, along with one block and one steal per game.
Panathinaikos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction
We can expect an exceptionally intriguing series that has the potential to offer a lot. Ergin Ataman has succeeded in his goal of creating a resurgence and fantastic results in his first season in a new environment. On the other hand, Oded Kattash has dealt with a lot of non-basketball-related pressure but has managed to keep his team on track.
We anticipate a closely contested series that will only be decided after five games. Maccabi Tel Aviv is the only team this season that hasn’t lost to Panathinaikos. This serves as a significant confidence boost for them on one hand, while also providing extra motivation for the Greek team. Therefore, this series could very well go to five games, as we predict. The key factor will be the packed “OAKA” arena, and if it comes down to a decisive game, Panathinaikos is unlikely to lose on their home court.
Prediction: Panathinaikos in five