Real Madrid vs Hapoel

Real Madrid traveled to Bulgaria with a 2-0 series lead, looking to close things out while dealing with its road struggles.

Coach Itoudis made a major adjustment for Game 3, putting Ish Wainright on Campazzo and switching every screen from 3 through 5. The change disrupted Real Madrid’s rhythm, making offense difficult both in the PnR and from the block.

Hapoel stayed true to its identity offensively, leaning heavily into 1-on-1 basketball. Whenever Lyles entered the game, Hapoel targeted him defensively. Their best stretches came when they pushed the pace.

Scariolo responded with a different lineup, using Trey Lyles at the 5. It gave Real Madrid more offense, but the defensive issues forced them into a 3-2 zone to cover weaknesses.

Hapoel won Game 3 by controlling the glass, allowing only seven offensive rebounds, and by increasing defensive pressure, forcing 12 turnovers. For comparison, they forced 15 turnovers combined in the first two games.

In Game 4, Itoudis kept the same matchups, but this time Scariolo and Real Madrid were prepared, looking to establish Mario Hezonja on the block. Hapoel found success early in offense, with Micic creating problems attacking off drag screens.

Usman Garuba and Theo Maledon changed the game off the bench for Real Madrid. Garuba’s defensive impact and efficiency offensively stood out, while Maledon’s downhill attack gave Real Madrid another layer.

As the game progressed, both teams simplified the offense into matchup hunting. Hapoel targeted Llull or Lyles whenever they were on the floor, while Real Madrid consistently involved Micic in actions, often using Feliz as the screener.

Real Madrid was stronger throughout the game, and its depth proved decisive in closing the series on the road and securing a spot in Athens.

 

Olympiacos vs AS Monaco

Expectations were high for this 1st vs 8th series, but Olympiacos controlled it from the opening tip. They arrived in Monaco up 2-0 and looking to close the series immediately.

Game 3 started with Monaco on the front foot, as Mike James tried to extend the series by scoring in isolation and taking advantage of a slow start from Olympiacos. Olympiacos settled in by posting up Thomas Walkup and playing off those actions, while a rise in defensive intensity shifted the game. The Greeks generated stops and pushed in transition, taking advantage of Monaco’s short rotation.

Olympiacos’ offensive movement remained the biggest separator. The ball moved freely throughout the game, leading to 29 assists on 37 made field goals. Monaco, meanwhile, relied heavily on individual creation, either through isolation or pick-and-roll, with particular success rejecting the screen.

Three-point shooting decided not only Game 3 but the entire series. Olympiacos went 18/33 from three in Game 3, while Monaco finished 8/29. Across the series, Monaco shot 18/87 from deep, 20.1%, while Olympiacos went 43/98, 43.9%. That gap helps explain the +74 point differential over three games.

Olympiacos was clearly the better team throughout the series and deservedly advanced to the Final Four. The question now is whether the lack of close games leading into the biggest stage of the season will matter.

 

Fenerbahçe vs Zalgiris

Entering the two games in Kaunas, Fenerbahçe held a 2-0 lead and wanted to make sure the series did not return to Turkey, while Zalgiris fought to keep its season alive.

Game 3 did not start well for Zalgiris, with Fenerbahçe opening on a 10-2 run. Over time, adjustments started to show. Going under on Talen Horton-Tucker actions limited his impact, especially early. Offensively, Zalgiris found success in early offense, sprinting the floor, forcing crossmatches, and attacking from there.

In the half court, Fenerbahçe continued to make driving difficult, rotating well and limiting paint touches. Coach Masiulis adjusted by placing three players across the baseline and using guard-to-guard screens, bringing Nando de Colo into actions and attacking him effectively.

The second half brought a major defensive shift from Zalgiris. Touches became tougher for Fenerbahçe, and the offensive flow slowed down. Sylvain Francisco’s third foul made him a clear target, with Fenerbahçe forcing him into the main action repeatedly.

Tubelis was the biggest difference maker in Game 3. He shot well from deep and closed the game as the primary offensive option, with Zalgiris repeatedly going to him on the block. He delivered in key moments to help secure the win.

Game 4 featured another round of adjustments. Fenerbahçe looked to attack Francisco inside early, posting up Devon Hall. Zalgiris tried to establish Tubelis inside, but Fenerbahçe countered by fronting him and denying entries.

Coach Saras also adjusted by setting flatter ball screens higher on the floor for Talen Horton-Tucker, creating cleaner driving lanes. That proved effective. Fenerbahçe also attacked from inside with strong results.

Coach Masiulis answered in the second half, trying to avoid easy switches and instructing players to foul if necessary. Saras responded with a major defensive adjustment, returning to a switch-everything PnR scheme. That slowed Zalgiris in the half court, though transition opportunities still produced offense.

With the game tight late, Wade Baldwin IV stepped up, hitting key shots to force overtime.

In overtime, Fenerbahçe executed better and avoided mistakes, finishing with zero turnovers in the extra period. That proved decisive.

Fenerbahçe had fewer offensive rebounds than Zalgiris, 15 to 16, and committed more turnovers, 15 to 10. But they converted those areas more effectively, leading 18-14 in second-chance points and 14-8 in points off turnovers.

Zalgiris played well, especially at home, but Fenerbahçe’s defense and improved offense carried them to the Final Four.

 

Valencia vs Panathinaikos

Valencia arrived in Athens with its back against the wall, trailing 2-0 and facing a hostile environment.

Coach Pedro Martinez made adjustments heading into Greece. In Game 3, Valencia soft doubled Kendrick Nunn, showing two bodies in the PnR. In late-clock isolation situations, the doubles became more aggressive, forcing the ball out of his hands and leading to turnovers. Nunn committed eight turnovers across Games 3 and 4 combined.

Panathinaikos adjusted offensively by posting up Grant to attack Jean Montero and playing off those actions. With TJ Shorts on the floor, Valencia made another adjustment, sagging off him in the half court and going far under on the PnR, disrupting Panathinaikos’ rhythm.

Valencia’s defense also fueled its offense. They pushed the pace and dominated transition scoring, finishing with a 27-9 edge in fastbreak points in the fastest-paced game of the series. In the half court, Valencia looked more like itself, playing fast, moving the ball, and creating quality looks through sharp cutting and manipulation of the help defense. Coach Ataman responded defensively by switching 1 through 5, which briefly slowed Valencia before they adjusted.

The possession battle played a major role. Valencia grabbed five more offensive rebounds and committed two fewer turnovers, a significant edge in a close game.

Game 4 carried similar tactical themes, leading Coach Ataman to rethink the rotation. TJ Shorts played only 6:47, while Toliopoulos, who had not appeared earlier in the series, logged 7:07 because of his shooting.

But this became a players’ game. Lessort dominated out of the short roll with five assists and punished Reuvers on the block. Cedi Osman was relentless in transition and attacking downhill. Kendrick Nunn thrived playing off the ball and coming off screens.

Still, no player stood out more than Jean Montero. “El Problema” exploded for 29 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, posting a 45 PIR while controlling the game and hitting major shots to force a Game 5.

It is the only series going the distance. The question now is whether the trend continues, with the road team winning again, or if Valencia reaches its first Final Four.

 

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!

Real Madrid vs Hapoel

The series shifts to Bulgaria, acting as home court for Hapoel, with Real Madrid up 2-0.

Game 1 was defined by Real Madrid operating out of the post. They used multiple players and entry points to punish the defense. Hapoel’s plan was clear: attack through the PnR, but the lack of movement made things easier for Real Madrid’s defense. Scariolo’s playbook created consistent scoring opportunities, with the only real issues coming against the matchup zone. That same zone helped Hapoel get out in transition and find easier looks without facing a set defense. Real’s late-game execution issues appeared again, going scoreless in the final 2:40, but they held on.

In Game 2, Hapoel adjusted, zoning up when the ball went inside to limit post play. Real Madrid responded by shifting toward guard creation, with Campazzo and Theo Maledon leading the way and breaking down the defense. Once again, Scariolo’s team controlled the in-game adjustments. The matchup zone caused some problems early but was not used in the second half. Real Madrid’s team defense stood out and drove a 102-75 win.

Hapoel needs Game 3 to stay alive. Defensive rebounding is a priority after allowing 16 and 13 offensive rebounds in the first two games. Cutting that down would close the gap. Leaning more on the matchup zone could also help, as it has been the most effective way to slow Real Madrid’s offense.

For Real Madrid, the key question is whether their road struggles carry over or if they take a step forward in this stage.

 

Olympiacos vs AS Monaco

Before the series, this looked like one of the most exciting 1-8 matchups. Olympiacos has flipped that script.

The regular-season champs won the first two games by a combined 54 points. Their offense has been dominant, with precise movement and clear intent in who to attack and how. Defensively, they have also been superior, daring Blossomgame and Begarin to shoot while loading up on Monaco’s guards.

Monaco showed some offensive improvement early in Game 2, getting their guards off screens before flowing into the PnR. That helped put Olympiacos’ point-of-attack defenders a step behind and exposed Milutinov more, limiting his impact after a strong Game 1. But the defensive end remained the issue. Olympiacos’ movement continued to create problems, and even adjustments that made sense before the game did not hold up. Thomas Walkup, a 33.6% three-point shooter for his career on low volume, went 3/6 from deep, consistently punishing the under.

Now the series shifts to Monaco, with Olympiacos looking to close it in Game 3. Monaco, already limited in depth, will be without Alpha Diallo and Daniel Theis, which further impacts their chances. They will need a strong shooting night from three, after going 4/28 and 6/30 in Games 1 and 2, but even that may not be enough against an Olympiacos team playing at a high level.

 

Fenerbahçe vs Zalgiris

In the Master vs Apprentice series, it is the Master, Sarunas Jasikevicius and his squad, holding a 2-0 lead heading to Kaunas.

Fenerbahçe’s defense has made life difficult for Zalgiris. Coach Saras moved away from switching with the 5, while also shading Zalgiris guards to the left and loading the driving lanes. That put the focus on Moses Wright to beat them. He did his part, but it was not enough to steal a road win.

Fenerbahçe’s offense has reached a level not seen during the regular season. Players are being put in the right spots and are ready for what the defense presents.

Zalgiris has had positive stretches offensively in both games, generating good looks, but the shots have not fallen. Spain PnR actions, in particular, have given them a way to attack.

With the series shifting to Kaunas, Zalgiris will look for shooting regression toward their season level, 39.8% from three compared to 22.7% and 21.7% in Games 1 and 2. That alone could make things more competitive. To extend the series, they will need more from their guards. That should be a focus for coach Masiulis. Getting Francisco, NWG, and Lo into actions off DHOs or pin-downs before flowing into PnR is one approach. Having them set a backscreen before receiving the ball is another way to get the defense trailing.

For Fenerbahçe, the question is whether this level on both ends carries over on the road or if they struggle away from home.

 

Valencia vs Panathinaikos

Another 2-0 series, this time with the road team, Panathinaikos, leading before heading home. It is as close as a 2-0 series can be, with Valencia at -3 over 85 minutes, but in the Playoffs, a loss is a loss.

Game 1 could not have gone better for Panathinaikos. They forced Valencia into their 2nd slowest-paced game of the season, and despite good looks from deep, Valencia made a season-low six threes. On offense, Panathinaikos was sharp. Coach Ataman prepared well to attack Valencia’s PnR coverage, using Double Drags, Ram Screens, and flipping screen angles to get the hedging big trailing the play. That carried into Game 2.

Valencia played faster in Game 2, though still not at their preferred pace, with Panathinaikos pushing them late into the shot clock. It turned into one of the best games of the Playoffs, with high scoring and both teams executing offensively. Panathinaikos matched Valencia’s three-point makes, which proved crucial. The game came down to details. Free-throw shooting stood out, with Panathinaikos going 15/15 and Valencia 13/23 in a two-point game. Nigel Hayes-Davis responded after a quiet Game 1, scoring 27, including the final eight points and the game-winning buzzer beater.

Valencia is not a team that folds. They head to OAKA ready to face a strong crowd, but with belief they can respond. Limiting Panathinaikos’ three-point volume will be key, along with pushing the tempo. In Game 1, they created good looks by setting flat screens near midcourt to speed things up. That could return in Game 3. Adjustments to their PnR coverage may also help.

Panathinaikos holds the edge, but Valencia will compete.

 

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!

Are these the best playoffs ever in EuroLeague?

The 7th and 8th seeds were in the Final Four just one season ago. Olympiacos carried its regular-season dominance and is still chasing a title that has eluded them for 13 years. One of the most exciting teams in the competition was playing in the EuroCup just last year, featuring the Coach of the Year and the Rising Star. A master vs apprentice clash.

These playoffs have it all, and we are here to break it down.

 

Olympiacos vs AS Monaco

The 1-8 matchup has traditionally been the most unbalanced, with the 8th seed never reaching the Final Four in the new format. This Monaco team is not a typical 8th seed. They reached the final last year and kept most of the same core. They lack depth, but Olympiacos will need to be at its best to return to the Final Four.

Olympiacos runs one of the most polished offensive systems in basketball. Monaco counters with a high-level defense, with strong and switchable defenders at every position. If Monaco can force Olympiacos into 1-on-1 play, that could shift things, but that is a big if.

Monaco leans heavily on the pick-and-roll. Their guards are effective in those situations and can break down coverages. Olympiacos’ point-of-attack defense will be key throughout the series. Thomas Walkup and Tyson Ward should have major roles, especially with Milutinov on the floor, given his limitations in space.

Rebounding is another area to watch. Monaco has struggled on the defensive glass all season, ranking 18th in DREB% at 66.3%. They now face the 2nd-best offensive rebounding team at 36.5% OREB. In a series that projects to be close, extra possessions could push Olympiacos toward the Final Four.

Late-game guard play is another question. Monaco has proven options, with Mike James delivering in clutch moments and Elie Okobo also stepping up. Can Olympiacos’ guards match that production? It is a key point to follow.

Olympiacos was the best team in the regular season and should be favored. Still, Monaco beat them twice and enters with momentum. The question is whether an 8th seed can reach the Final Four.

 

Valencia vs Panathinaikos

Valencia was the 2nd-best team in the regular season and was “rewarded” with a matchup against Panathinaikos, one of the deepest and most talented teams in the competition. While Valencia might feel unlucky, this is a great series for basketball fans.

Valencia won both regular-season meetings, but that carries limited weight here, especially with Panathinaikos having more experience at this stage.

Valencia is not expected to change much. They will play fast, go 12-deep, and take a high volume of threes. Defensively, they will continue to pressure the ball. The key question is how their pick-and-roll defense holds up. It was strong in the regular season, but in a series setting, showing the same coverages repeatedly can be tested. Panathinaikos has three ball-handlers in TJ Shorts, Kendrick Nunn, and Kostas Sloukas who are all effective in pick-and-roll. If they find rhythm, they will be difficult to contain.

Panathinaikos has been inconsistent throughout the season, including with rotations. Anything short of their best could be costly. They have also struggled on the defensive glass, ranking 13th in DREB%. That showed in the regular-season matchups, where Valencia had 13 and 14 offensive rebounds, while Panathinaikos finished with 26 and 19 defensive rebounds. Controlling the defensive glass should be a priority.

Three-point shooting is another factor. Valencia attempts more, 31.8 per game compared to 23.9, and shoots at a higher percentage, 36.7% to 35.2%.

Valencia will look to turn Roig Arena into a fortress, while Panathinaikos will rely on the OAKA crowd to push them. The question is which side comes out on top.

 

Real Madrid vs Hapoel

Real Madrid and Hapoel finished the regular season separated by one game. That small margin carries weight. Real Madrid went 18-1 at home and 6-13 away, so home-court advantage could be decisive.

This projects as a half-court series. Both teams are comfortable playing in those settings, though neither will pass on transition chances.

Mario Hezonja was the X-factor in both regular-season meetings, which Real Madrid won. He averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds, creating mismatches in multiple ways. He used his size in the post, came off screens to shoot, and handled in pick-and-roll. Scariolo should continue to lean on that versatility. Hapoel and Coach Itoudis will need a plan to limit his impact.

Hapoel is strong in pick-and-roll and should feature it heavily, especially when Walter Tavares is on the floor. Forcing him to defend in space is a clear target. Their trio of bigs, Johnathan Motley, Tai Odiase, and Dan Oturu, offers different skill sets that can be used in those situations.

Real Madrid was a first-half team for much of the season and struggled late. Their offense drops in the fourth quarter, with a 111.7 ORTG compared to a 121.1 season average. Hapoel, on the other hand, has been effective in clutch situations and in fourth quarters. In a series expected to be close, late-game execution will matter.

This sets up as a compelling series, with the potential for a Final Four debut for Hapoel or another step for Real Madrid.

 

Fenerbahçe vs Zalgiris

The final Playoffs series puts Fenerbahçe, who spent much of the season in 1st place before a rough finish, against Zalgiris, one of the biggest surprises of the competition. Zalgiris also won both regular-season meetings between the two.

Fenerbahçe struggled offensively all season, finishing with the 15th-best ORTG in the competition, the worst among Playoff teams by a wide margin: FBB 113.6 ORTG; VAL 119.2. Their identity has been built on defense: PnR switches, identifying weak points, and physicality off the ball. That carried them to the best regular-season defense in EuroLeague, with a DRTG nearly three points better than the next best defense.

But one area that has challenged Fenerbahçe’s defense is elite guard creation against switches. That is exactly what Zalgiris brings. Their trio of guards, Maodo Lo, Nigel Williams-Goss, and Sylvain Francisco, can operate in pick-and-roll at a high level and are effective in isolation. At times during the season, we saw coach Saras move away from switching. That will be a key decision point again here.

The coaching matchup adds another layer. Masiulis was Jasikevicius’ assistant until the start of this season, making this a Master vs Apprentice clash. Both Lithuanian coaches are elite tacticians with strong sets. With two top defenses in the series, any easy basket created from the playbook could swing games.

Fenerbahçe enters as defending champions. Masiulis aims to guide Zalgiris to the Final Four like his mentor, but only one path continues.

 

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!

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!