Reversed roles: Olympiacos look for season turning point against resurgent PAO / News - Basketnews.com

For the first time in many years, Panathinaikos enter the Greek derby against Olympiacos as the clear favorites. Kostas Antetokounmpo, Kostas Papanikolaou, and Mateusz Ponitka reflect on the two rivals' condition just a few hours before another duel tips off.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Almost four months have gone by since Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus faced off in the Greek Super Cup final in Rhodes.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens / Schedule

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade84-71 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensThu19:05

The final score (75-51) had everyone thinking that the Reds were on to another dominant season - inside and outside the Greek borders. However, that was hardly the case.

The outcome of the season's inaugural derby was more a byproduct of Panathinaikos' status as a team under construction, with many newcomers having joined the squad during the summer than a token of Olympiacos' supremacy.

Following one EuroLeague derby and another clash for the Greek league in Pireaus, the two squads seem to have gone a long way to get where they are now. On paper, Panathinaikos have improved - a lot.

In theory, Olympiacos have left much to be desired, as last season's heroes are not walking through the Peace and Friendship Stadium's door anymore, and those who have stepped in haven't been able to contribute as much as their predecessors.

"When we played the Super Cup, I said we were a new team," Kostas Antetokounmpo reflected a few minutes after PAO beat Partizan to make it 14 wins in 22 EuroLeague games.

"Now we have meshed together, we know each other better, but we're also aware of the team's strengths and weaknesses. That has changed our dynamic."

Kostas AntetokounmpoCredit Vangelis Stolis

Several things have changed in the Greens' camp since the beginning of the season. Antetokounmpo's presence is one of them.

Occupying the backup center role, the Greek big man knows that everything starts from the defense. Panathinaikos currently boast the 3rd-best offensive rating in the EuroLeague, allowing just 109.2 points per possession.

3-pointers this season

38%9,9Points made:9,9Accuracy:37,5%Place in standings:9Record max:15Record min:5Most made 3FGs:Isaiah CanaanTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Antetokounmpo's defensive efficiency is on par with his team's performance (102.1 points per possession, better than 77% of EuroLeague players).

"I try to give 100% when I come in. To help my team as much as I can and offensively when I can find a rhythm, whether by setting up screens or grabbing rebounds, then even better. The push and the energy the fans give helps a lot," he added.

On Monday evening (19:15 CET), Panathinaikos will have the chance to secure the home-court advantage for the Greek playoffs in case they beat their main rivals.

PAO won 66-54 in Piraeus and have the upper hand over the Reds, who need a payback to stay in contention for first place.

According to the new Greek league format, the first 12 teams will be divided into two groups and play another five games. This means that if PAO win or lose by 11, that third contest of the season will take place at OAKA.

If Olympiacos win with +12 points, the Greek champions will host the tie-breaker in Piraeus.

"Olympiacos are a very good team," Antetokounmpo noted.

"We have to do a good job, especially as the big guys, because, as you saw, [Nikola] Milutinov played a very good match against Maccabi. To box out and do the defensive rebounds and be connected on defense. If we do that, we will win the game," the former NBA champion argued.

For Olympiacos' captain, Kostas Papanikolaou, the derby holds a special significance, like any other game between the two rivals.

"It's a must-win, like all games between the two teams," he told BasketNews. "It is a derby that both teams want to win at all costs in order to make their fans happy."

Olympiacos stand at 12-10 in the EuroLeague, and even though they've kept their playoff chances intact, last year's finalists seem to rely heavily on Alec Peters, Isaiah Canaan, and their two big men, Moustapha Fall and Nikola Milutinov.

Since Fall remains sidelined, Milutinov will have to handle Panathinaikos' frontline almost all by himself.

The Reds have had many ups and downs, but Papanikolaou thinks it's all a matter of focus and commitment to the game plan.

"This is a tactical piece that needs to be broken down in great analysis," he said.

"We get carried away a little bit, and that's where the mistakes, the rebounding problems, and the slack on defense set in. This is the simplest explanation."

If PAO are one of this season's biggest surprises in the defensive department, it's no wonder that Olympiacos take up 5th place in the category among all EuroLeague teams.

The squad coached by Giorgos Bartzokas also tops the points-off-assists list (71%) and ranks second in dimes per game (19.6). Still, the issue that the back-to-back EuroLeague Coach of The Year has failed to address is finding a good 'closer' in crunch time.

Olympiacos have found big shots from Nigel Williams-Goss and Shaquielle McKissic in some of their games, but Ignas Brazdeikis is still off. On the other hand, Panathinaikos have lost Luca Vildoza to injury, but the likes of Kostas Sloukas and Kendrick Nunn can compensate for that.

"I haven't noticed any big differences in Olympiacos' game," Kostas Antetokounmpo continued.

"I think it's more about us playing this game and doing the right job. We don't need to stop any particular player, let's say don't let Canaan score too much."

Carrying the title of the underdog team in a packed arena can prove beneficial for Olympiacos, who have struggled in several of their domestic games. Last Monday, Kolossos Rhodes made Alec Peters admit that "the entire team feels embarrassed."

"The level we expect from ourselves hasn't been there," he explained.

"The fighting spirit and the team spirit have taken a little bit of a hit. It's something that we all recognize and know that we need to fix. We need to fix it now. I'm looking forward to seeing how we'll handle this, bounce back, and turn it into a great few weeks for us."

Papanikolaou believes that it's a matter of self-pride but also of the players' will to prove that they're capable of winning.

Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/GettyImages

"The sporting ego lies not only in wanting to play and score but also in wanting to win and claim titles. When you have players who feel that and understand which club they represent, then there is a reaction, and a different picture comes out. Of course, for all this to make sense, there has to be consistency," he pointed out.

Having recently visited the OAKA arena as a player of Partizan Mozzartbet Belgrade, Mateusz Ponitka recalled his game-winning 3-point shot in PAO's last home win against Olympiacos in Game 2 of last year's playoff series.

"Of course, I want and believe that Panathinaikos can win. Derbies are different. Whenever you go into those games, it doesn't matter what has happened before.

If shots are falling and you play solid on defense, OAKA is going to be fire, and this will be an advantage for PAO. They have big chances to win."

Ergin Ataman, who celebrated Friday's victory over Partizan with raised fists, knows that his team's passionate audience will celebrate a 2-0 over Olympiacos even more.

But for Olympiacos, the victory will be of special importance. The Reds are looking for a great victory that will function like an electric shock for the entire organization.

It will be a very resounding response to all the questions raised this year in Piraeus, both regarding Bartzokas' choices and system and the players' ability to win when it matters.

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