By Achilleas Mavrodontis/ info@eurohoops.net
Leaning on defense, Olympiacos took down AS Monaco to get in front, 1-0, in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Quarterfinals best-of-five series versus AS Monaco. In a quick turnaround, the Playoffs opponents will meet again in Peace And Friendship Stadium, on Friday (18:00 CET).
“Every game is different,” noted head coach Giorgos Bartzokas, “I think we were effective in defense and made the right decisions in Game 1. Monaco will be even hungrier in Game 2, so we will have to stay focused.”
“After Game 1, Monaco knows what to expect. We must perform better to win the second game as well,” added Sasha Vezenkov previewing the second game in a row between Olympiacos and La Roca Team in Greece.
Vezenkov, 26, contributed ten points and five rebounds for the home win in Game 1 Wednesday. A solid effort extending his run of double-digit PIR showings to 23 games in Europe’s premier continental club competition.
Teammate Hassan Martin is expected to miss Game 2 as well. The former Rhodes Island standout is sidelined with an injury on his right thigh depriving his side of his share of frontcourt depth.
Paris Lee was among the top Game 1 performers for the visitors. His effort translated into nine points, four assists, and three rebounds. The team coached by Sasha Obradovic being limited to 21 points in the middle quarters and 54 over the 40 minutes was impossible to overcome.
“We got to back to the drawing board and watch film, and see how we can pick our spots better,” said the Monaco point guard following Game 1, “For sure, I think we can do better. We just have to be a little more together. And just find a way to play everything together. We just have to play a little smarter.”
The best-of-five series will shift to Monaco next week. Game 3 will take place in Salle Gaston Medecin on Wednesday. Game 4, if necessary, will follow a couple of days later. If the upcoming collisions result in a split at two wins, a do-or-die Game 5 matchup in Piraeus will determine the team advancing to the season-ending Final Four.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net