By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A couple of convincing wins for both Olympiacos and AS Monaco shaped a 1-1 tie in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Quarterfinals best-of-five series. Coming up, the series moves from the Peace And Friendship Stadium to Salle Gaston Medecin for Game 3 and Game 4.
“We did a lot of very good things in Game 1, and a lot of very bad things in Game 2. We did not change much but played a very bad game,” Olympiacos boss Giorgos Bartzokas walked through the series so far before flying to Monaco, “Now the goal is to recover the home-court advantage. If we play our style of basketball, similar to Game 1, I like our chances.”
Ranking second overall in the Regular Season earned the Reds the home-court advantage in the series. However, seventh-seeded Monaco stole the advantage in last week’s Game 2.
“We had a solid Regular Season, but understand these playoff games are special. We really want to win, starting from tomorrow’s Game 3,” said captain Giorgos Printezis, “In this series, I think it is key to improve and bring something new to every game.”
On the injury list, Hassan Martin has yet to expand from individual training to team practices and is considered doubtful to be cleared for action in Game 3. The former Rhode Island standout missed both Game 1 and Game 2 due to a thigh injury.
Coming off an injury as well, Alpha Diallo sat out Game 2 for La Roca Team. All players are expected to be available for the team coached by Sasha Obradovic.
“Olympiacos is going to be better prepared. We may have a slight advantage playing at home but Olympiacos is used to hostile environments,” noted the Serbian play-caller, “We have done an incredible job so far and have a chance to advance.”
“We are focused on our goal,” added Monaco’s explosive scorer Dwayne Bacon, “We must match our intensity in Game 2 to get in the lead.”
Following Game 3 Wednesday night, Game 4 will be held Friday. If the quarterfinals opponents split wins, Game 5 will decide the advancing team next week with the best-of-five series shifting back to Greece.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net