Olympiacos takes on Monaco in one of the four EuroLeague playoff matchups, which tip off on Tuesday, April 19.
Hedgeout.net Team previews the series and picks the winner, with Game 1 taking place at Piece and Friendship Stadium on Wednesday, April 20.
Yiannis Bouranis
Olympiacos enters the series as the grand favorite to advance to the Final Four. The “Reds” want to take advantage of their home court, where they are 13-1 in the EuroLeague this season.
The Greek giants concede only 67.5 points at home and will seek to allow identical numbers to take the upper hand.
Containing Mike James will be the No.1 defensive target for the “Reds”, who want to return to the Final Four after 2017.
Monaco, on the other hand, clinched a playoff berth and secured its place in the 2022/23 EuroLeague.
Their season has been a success so far, but reaching the Final Four will exceed expectations. The Monegasques are weak on the road, so protecting their home court and forcing a Game 5 will be the top priority.
The two teams split the season series with emphatic home wins (86-65, 92-72), so I expect a Game 5 and Olympiacos to win series 3-2.
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball
Alexandros Tsakos
Two teams that were not expected to have the campaign they had during the regular season will clash in the EuroLeague postseason.
Olympiacos will be part of the playoffs for the first time in four years. Meanwhile, AS Monaco Basket will make its maiden appearance in the competition’s quarter finals.
Olympiacos used its deep roster to finish with the second best record in the standings (19-9) and enters the best-of-five series vs Monaco as the favorite.
Monaco had an amazing regular season run headlined by EuroLeague star Mike James and a great supporting cast that combined athleticism and skill.
Monaco has played in a different gear since December and finished the regular season as the No.7 seed with a 15-13 record.
The best defense is a good offense in Monaco’s case, which led the league in scoring with 84 points per game.
As for Olympiacos, its biggest weapon was its home court this year, having only one loss in 14 games at Peace and Friendship Stadium, while defense came to play for the “Reds”, allowing just 74.9 points per contest through 28 games.
I expect the series to have many memorable moments, but Olympiacos will prevail in four games (3-1).
Filippos Kassotis
Olympiacos (19-9) faces Monaco (15-13) and seems the grand favorite to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2017.
Having secured the home-court advantage, the “Reds” want to exploit their power when they play in front of their fans. Olympiacos were 13-1 at home in the regular season and conceded only 67,5 points per game.
On the other hand, Monaco is not the team to be taken lightly. They have the best results in the second half of the season and an outstanding Mike James, who seems reborn and ready for these games.
Needless to say that they recently defeated the “Reds” with an outstanding performance (92-72) to split the series (1-1).
But, in the end, I think that the Piraeus team, being more experienced in these conditions, will manage to prevail and advance to the Final Four (3-1).
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball
Dimitris Georgiopoulos
Olympiacos (19-9) has a great chance to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2017. The “Reds” remained focused throughout the season with a tremendous home form, having lost only one game (13-1).
Head coach Georgios Bartzokas’ approach has contributed a lot for the team’s improvement on both ends.
Key players, like Sasha Vezenkov (averaging 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds) and Tyler Dorsey (averaging 13.4 points), have to maintain their performance level up to help the club compete in Belgrade in May (19-21).
On the other hand, Monaco can be considered the most improved team of the second half of the season. The Monegasques should give credit to head coach Sasa Obradovic for their qualification for the playoffs.
They were performing great offensively, scoring 84 points per game (1st in the league). The teams split the regular season series (1-1).
I’m predicting that Olympiacos has the ability to protect its home and even get one win at Salle Gaston Médecin (3-1).
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball
Aggelos Nikolopoulos
A Greek – French battle with a taste of… favorite has emerged in the Euroleague playoffs. Olympiacos, the former back-to-back champions (2012-2013), will clash with Monaco on their way to the F4 in Belgrade.
On the one hand, it’s experience. The Greeks, undoubtedly the favorite of the series, have lots of playoff games under their belt.
Of course, they have won the competition three times in the past, aiming this year to make them four. So, they have a ton of experience on how to compete in such games.
On the other hand, it’s the big desire for success. Monaco, in their first ever Euroleague appearance, managed to clinch a playoff spot and will try to make a dream come true. Participate in a F4!
The home-court advantage is very important for Olympiacos, as they are 13-1 at Peace and Friendship Stadium. They enjoy playing in front of their fans, which will make Monaco’s task really difficult.
But, I believe that Olympiacos will face difficulties in France, too. Monaco will do their best in order to compete in Belgrade’s feist.
I don’t expect an easy Olympiacos’ qualification, but I think that the Piraeus side will get the job done.
Considering that the teams split their wins in the regular season and won at their court (86-65 in Piraeus and 92-72 in Monaco), I would risk to predict a 3-1 series win for Olympiacos, because, in my mind, experience will play its part eventually.
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