Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos: Analysis and Prediction – Panathinaikos will play against Olympiacos in Greek League final series Game 1.
Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos Odds
Panathinaikos Team News
Panathinaikos is having an outstanding season. Although they missed out on two trophies, they won the most important one – the EuroLeague. On their way to the Greek league finals, they defeated PAOK and Aris, each time with a 2-0 sweep, giving their rivals no chance to disrupt their plans.
Perhaps the best indicator of the intentions of head coach Ergin Ataman and Panathinaikos is the Turkish coach’s statement that players must forget everything that happened in the EuroLeague and focus entirely on the finals. The most important aspect for them is that the trio of Mathias Lessort, Kendrick Nunn, and Kostas Sloukas are in good shape for the final matches. The French big man has been one of the best players in his position in Europe for the second consecutive season, and his effort in the paint can be crucial for controlling rebounds on both ends of the court. Kendrick Nunn recently extended his contract and, unless an offer from the NBA comes in, he seems to be staying at Panathinaikos, where he feels comfortable according to his own words. Kostas Sloukas might be the most motivated player on either team, especially considering that he ended his stint with Olympiacos on a sour note last summer and is ready for revenge. It’s also worth noting that Jerian Grant and Ioannis Papapetrou are in excellent form at the end of the season, and more importantly, the team has no injury issues.
If Panathinaikos wants to triumph, they must dominate in the paint and make the most of their three-point shooting opportunities, where they are significantly stronger and more dangerous than their opponent.
Olympiacos Team News
Olympiacos finished second in the regular season, right behind Panathinaikos. They then defeated AEK Athens 2-0 in the quarterfinals and had an identical outcome against Peristeri, wrapping up the series in two games.
Olympiacos has reasons for dissatisfaction, especially after their failure in the EuroLeague Final Four, where they were eliminated in the semifinals. However, there is cause for optimism as they won both the Greek Cup and the Super Cup this season, defeating Panathinaikos in both finals. Head coach Georgios Bartzokas will once again attempt to implement his systematic solutions that brought results earlier in the season. Nigel Williams-Goss appears to be in the best form among the guards, while Thomas Walkup, aside from good defense, struggles to make any shots from outside. Isaiah Canaan has also been inconsistent with his three-point shooting. With Moustapha Fall injured, the primary responsibilities at the center position fall to Nikola Milutinov, Moses Wright, and Filip Petrusev. Another player worth mentioning for his love of big games is Shaquielle McKissic.
Olympiacos must slow down the tempo of the game as much as possible and try to completely prevent their opponent’s transition play. Therefore, it is expected that they will not push for offensive rebounds but rather focus on setting up a defensive structure to stop the opponent. Additionally, they should avoid engaging in a three-point shooting contest, as they are significantly weaker than their rivals in that aspect.
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Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos H2H
So far this season, they have played seven games, with Olympiacos winning four times. It’s important to mention that Olympiacos won both the Greek Cup and the Super Cup, defeating Panathinaikos in both finals.
Absences and Injuries
Panathinaikos should be at full strength, while Olympiacos will be without Moustapha Fall, whose season ended due to injury.
Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos Prediction
Tip-off Time: Wednesday, 05.06.2024, 20:15 CET
Prediction: Under 153.5 points
Odds: 1.74
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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