Play-in Round 1 Recap:

Panathinaikos vs AS Monaco

OAKA was roaring, ready to carry Panathinaikos into the PlayOffs, but Monaco started better.

With Alpha Diallo on Kendrick Nunn, Monaco set the tone defensively. They forced Panathinaikos deep into the shot clock, including two late-clock attempts and a turnover in the first three possessions. That led to a 4-0 start in under two minutes and forced Ataman to stop the game and adjust.

TJ Shorts was the first off the bench and changed the game. His speed created problems immediately, getting to the line and scoring the first points for the Greens. That sparked a 7-0 run, capped by a Osman forced turnover and a three on the other end, giving Panathinaikos a 7-6 lead.

Monaco’s offense stalled. Panathinaikos dared Blossomgame and Theis to shoot from deep, slowing the movement and leading to turnovers. That fueled transition opportunities and a 14-2 run to close the quarter.

TJ Shorts was the catalyst, scoring 11 in the first quarter while pushing the pace and attacking both in transition and in the half court. Panathinaikos led 23-14 after one.

In the second quarter, Panathinaikos emphasized offensive rebounding, crashing the glass and turning those chances into points. Mike James kept Monaco afloat, hitting tough shots, but the offense struggled. Monaco leaned into isolation, with only James producing at a high level, finishing the half with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while no teammate had more than five points. As a team, they had four assists and eight turnovers in the half.

On the other end, Lessort controlled the paint, and the lead grew to 15 by halftime.

After the break, Monaco adjusted, using a Hi-Lo set with Theis as a passer, which became a consistent part of their offense with good results. Panathinaikos responded by using their bigs to seal inside and attack the paint, also with success.

Defense decided the third quarter. Monaco strung together stops and cut the deficit to nine entering the fourth.

Panathinaikos opened the fourth going small, with Juancho and Nigel Hayes-Davis in the frontcourt. Using Juancho as a screener, hitting or ghosting, they created driving lanes, and Kostas Sloukas capitalized. On the other end, they could not get stops, leading to a stretch of traded baskets.

The first run came around 3:20 remaining. Panathinaikos scored four straight, pushing the lead back to double digits and forcing a Monaco timeout.

Out of the timeout, Mike James kept attacking and making tough shots, but stops were still an issue. Ataman closed with three guards. It worked offensively but gave Monaco a target defensively, using Alpha Diallo on the block.

Kendrick Nunn had the final word. Despite a subpar game by his standards, he hit a three over the defender to push the lead to 12 and effectively end it. The final 1:25 only set the score at 87-79, sending Panathinaikos to the PlayOffs for a series against Valencia.

Offensive rebounding was a key difference. Panathinaikos had six more and turned them into 20 second-chance points compared to 11 for Monaco.

TJ Shorts led the way with 21 points, three rebounds, and two assists, shifting the game from the moment he entered. Rogkavoupolos added an efficient 11 off the bench, and Fareid finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

For Monaco, Mike James led with 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. Alpha Diallo was the only other player in double figures.

 

FC Barcelona vs Crvena Zvezda

A classic win-or-go-home clash in Catalunya between FC Barcelona and Crvena Zvezda.

The matchup between Kevin Punter and Jordan Nwora was a focus coming in, and it showed early. Codi Miller-McIntyre took the Punter assignment, while Punter matched up with Nwora. Crvena Zvezda went right at it, sending Nwora to the block to attack. Still, Barcelona started better, going on a 7-0 run after Nwora opened with free throws.

Crvena Zvezda struggled to score from open play, taking more than three minutes to hit their first field goal. Their 5-on-5 offense leaned too much on isolation. Barcelona, meanwhile, operated cleanly in the half court with strong ball and player movement. Will Clyburn took full advantage.

He went six of seven from three in the first quarter, leading Barcelona to a 29-21 edge.

The second quarter opened with both teams trading baskets before Willy Hernangomez made an impact. He scored six straight, pushing the lead to 11 and forcing a timeout. Adjustments from Crvena Zvezda made them more dangerous. Their guards attacked downhill and increased defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and cutting the deficit to seven before another timeout.

Barcelona responded with a 7-0 run to close the half, powered by five points in 42 seconds from Kevin Punter. They took a 14-point lead into halftime despite going 3 of 8 from the line.

After the break, Barcelona looked to establish Toku Shengelia on the block, opening the half on a 7-0 run. Jordan Nwora answered with a tough midrange shot after more than three minutes.

Barcelona’s offense continued to flow, punishing defensive breakdowns with ball movement and constant activity. Defensively, they forced turnovers and kept Crvena Zvezda in the half court, stretching the lead to 20.

Crvena Zvezda closed the third with the final eight points, cutting the deficit to 12 entering the fourth.

Barcelona opened the fourth with a clear plan, attacking from the block. Satoransky posted smaller guards, and empty-side pick-and-rolls with Clyburn created switches into post opportunities.

Crvena Zvezda responded with effort. Izundu crashed the offensive glass and converted for four points, cutting it to 10. They could not sustain momentum under double digits, as Jan Vesely answered each push.

Late in the game, Barcelona slowed the pace, extending possessions and putting the ball in Clyburn’s hands. He delivered, creating two assists, including one to Satoransky for three that pushed the lead to 12 and forced a timeout.

Crvena Zvezda went small out of the timeout and responded with a 5-0 run until Ojeley sent Kevin Punter to the line. A turnover from Codi Miller-McIntyre with 1:13 left ended their chances.

Barcelona closed it out 80-72 to keep their season alive, advancing to face Monaco in another do-or-die game.

Extra possessions made the difference. Barcelona had 15 offensive rebounds to 13 and committed 10 turnovers to Crvena Zvezda’s 14.

Kevin Punter and Will Clyburn led the way with a combined 44 points. For Crvena Zvezda, Codi Miller-McIntyre, Jordan Nwora, and Jared Butler reached double figures. Chima Moneke struggled, finishing with five points, all from the line, and a team-worst -16.

Play-in round 2 Preview:

AS Monaco vs FC Barcelona

The most decisive game of the season for both teams. A do-or-die game, with the winner advancing to the PlayOffs to face Olympiacos.

Monaco won both regular-season meetings between the teams.

Monaco’s guards are central here, and even more so against Barcelona given Barcelona’s bigs’ limitations defending the pick-and-roll. Mike James (17.5 PPG vs Barcelona) and Elie Okobo (14.0 PPG vs Barcelona) are expected to drive the offense, with pick-and-roll action as the main structure for most of the game. That could be a strong path for Monaco.

Barcelona will look to use their positional size to attack Monaco. Alpha Diallo is expected to take the Clyburn assignment, which sets up size advantages for Kevin Punter (vs Mike James) and Tomas Satoransky (vs Matthew Strazel). Expect Barcelona to try to exploit those matchups and play off them.

Their off-ball movement is another factor. Xavi Pascual has strong sets that could create problems.

Two statistical trends stand out:

• 3-Point Shooting: Barcelona has the edge in both attempts and percentage over the season. In the Play-In games, there was a clear gap: FCB 13/28 3FG vs CZV, ASM 7/25 vs PAO. Another cold shooting night could be costly for Monaco.
• Rebounding on Monaco’s Table: Monaco is 18th in DREB% (66.2%). Barcelona is not elite but is above average on the offensive glass, ranking 9th in OREB%. That played a big role in the win vs CZV.

Two teams with different identities and styles, but the same goal. Only one will reach the PlayOffs.

 

This article was written by the European Hoops team: Tiago Cordeiro, João Caeiro and André Lemos. Make sure you give us a follow on Twitter at @EthosEuroleague!