Olympiacos vs Monaco was, without a doubt, the best playoff series of the 2021-2022 EuroLeague. Even though the Piraeus team had the home-court advantage and seemed the favorite to secure the Final four ticket, this was not the case.
In their maiden appearance in the EuroLeague playoffs, the Monegasques proved they were a top tier team and fought up to the last minute of Game 5.
The series started with Olympiacos playing at full speed especially on defense, limiting the best scoring team of the regular season to 54 points.
The second game was a totally different case, with Monaco bouncing back with an outstanding 72-96 victory at Peace and Friendship Stadium, where Olympiacos had a 14-1 record, and tying the series (1-1).
In Monaco, the “Reds” managed to win Game 3 and re-claim the home-court advantage (83-87). Games 4 and 5 were, by all means, two of the best playoff games in EuroLeague playoff history.
Great team plays, physicality, a great defensive performance from both teams and some extraordinary baskets highlighted the two games.
Both sides had lots of different players to step up and help their team. On the one hand, Mike James, Dwayne Bacon, Danilo Andjusic, Paris Lee and Yakuba Ouattara led the way for Monaco.
On the other hand, Kostas Sloukas, Shaquielle McKissic, Thomas Walkup, Tyler Dorsey, Kostas Papanikolaou and Sasha Vezenkov brought the “Reds” back to the Final Four after 5 years.
Game 4 ended with Sloukas missing the last shot and sending the series back to Piraeus (78-77). Game 5 could be considered one of the best games of the season. A high-scoring game, a hard-fought battle, with multiple lead changes, and great basketball on both ends.
Both teams deserved to clinch the Final Four ticket. In the end, the more experienced players of Olympiacos turned the tide on their advantage (94-88).
Overall, this playoff series showed the high level of basketball that is played in the EuroLeague. And with the Final Four less than two weeks away, I truly hope the remaining games will make us feel as happy as this playoff series.
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