EL2022/23 - The Playoffs

[paspalj]

I predict that at least one of the three teams with home disadvantage will win the 5th game, for the 1st time.

I think that Maccabi has a more than decent shot at winning. Partizan has Zeljko, that man is just incredible in preparing teams for playoffs and do or die games.

I will find it extremely extremely surprising if Fener wins.

I realize that I’m not sharing any secret knowledge right now, the probabilities I give are directly correlated to the teams’ final standing

[Cuneyt]

Itoudis realized a miracle bringing this series at the 5th game.

However, there are no chances at all to beat Oly again in Greece with this roster.

He desperately needs at least one player between Bjelica and Booker plus Wilbekin.

TBH, Jekiri did quite well in the last few games. Bjelica (unfortunately) is a dead horse. He won’t bring value. Wilbekin, however, can

I was expecting Olympiakos to be much more dominant in the series. They are either a bit flat, or we defend very well, dunno which. If they don’t start the 5th game with a kick start and a whole lot more energy, we will have a chance to wrap it up.

[Spittifiz]

we are a team with great character and we never give up. we defend well and as expected its turning out to be a great series. hopefully, we will win in the end.

and finally, i love you coach.

[janketa]

This team looks decent but I agree that we need at least 2 new players.

Bjelica, Edwards and Willbekin should be fired. But regarding Willbekin's contract it could be only 2. Aged Calathes should stay as 2nd pg and we should try to bring 1st pg.

At the end of the day I am happy with the win and with the effort of all players

Tnx god that Dorsey came in right time instead of that brick thrower Willbekin

[gio]

I don't remember a series where there was such a head-to-head fight between the first and eighth teams.

[ronmercer80]

Damn, this season is crazy. Even this game in Tel Aviv started bad, -8, and then Maccabi just exploded. It still will be different game in Monaco, and nobody ever won game five away. But we will see. Hopefully shameful refereeing from game 2 won't return.
P.S. Clown doesn't have a clue. We won this game in defence and rebound and energy. 3 pointers were just derivative of will, energy and strong defence.

Of course. Katash managed to do what he failed to obtain in the 3rd game, bring the battle close to the paint area.

Defining Macabi T.A as the "maccabeo's team" is out of reality, no one should commit such a mistake. It was clear after the second quarter that Monaco mentally abandoned the game, they realized that a second win was unattainable.

Monaco has shot 26/102 3pts in this series, with such a percentage it is a big deal to have reached the 5th game at home. As I wrote before the first game this series is highly equilibrated and unpredictable.

[ronmercer80]

TBH, Jekiri did quite well in the last few games. Bjelica (unfortunately) is a dead horse. He won’t bring value. Wilbekin, however, can

I was expecting Olympiakos to be much more dominant in the series. They are either a bit flat, or we defend very well, dunno which. If they don’t start the 5th game with a kick start and a whole lot more energy, we will have a chance to wrap it up.

Are we sure that Booker will be absent?

[tonia]

I think that Maccabi has a more than decent shot at winning. Partizan has Zeljko, that man is just incredible in preparing teams for playoffs and do or die games.

I will find it extremely extremely surprising if Fener wins.

I realize that I’m not sharing any secret knowledge right now, the probabilities I give are directly correlated to the teams’ final standing

All 3 teams have won away at the previous games, so all of them have a shot. Let's see if we have 3/3

[Overthetop]

As a Fener fan, I am happy that Fener have won the game. As a basketball fan, I am happy that the series is worthy of the name. Fener deserved to go to the Final four so far, let's win the 5th game and make it official.

[Cuneyt]

Are we sure that Booker will be absent?

He is still not practicing with the team as far as I know. So, yeah, safe to assume he will be out.

[vivo]

I don't remember a series where there was such a head-to-head fight between the first and eighth teams.

To be fair we would become 5th seed if we beat CZ last week, so not your run of the mill 8th seed.

For Oly, they were a very well-oiled machine in the regular season, but in the playoffs weaknesses are focused upon. So far it seemed like Oly did not have another gear to go after the regular season ended. Let’s see if we can do the unthinkable and win in Piraeus

[tonia]

To be fair we would become 5th seed if we beat CZ last week, so not your run of the mill 8th seed.

For Oly, they were a very well-oiled machine in the regular season, but in the playoffs weaknesses are focused upon. So far it seemed like Oly did not have another gear to go after the regular season ended. Let’s see if we can do the unthinkable and win in Piraeus

You didn't though and Olympiacos secured your spot to the play offs by winning Baskonia. Too bad for them if you manage to defeat them in Piraeus

[MikeMaccabiFan]

Of course. Katash managed to do what he failed to obtain in the 3rd game, bring the battle close to the paint area.

Yes, he did, because of different tempo, and Monaco had to answer to good 3p shooting of Maccabi as well, creating better spacing. Poythress played well, he is bigger challenge for Monaco than Nebo, especially taking in account that Hall is nearly absent in the series.

Defining Macabi T.A as the "maccabeo's team" is out of reality, no one should commit such a mistake.

Well, I always point that out, but since interface changed I don't see his posts, unless somebody quotes the clown... BTW, off-topic, member CP disappeared...

It was clear after the second quarter that Monaco mentally abandoned the game, they realized that a second win was unattainable.

I think they still tried in second half until deliberate technical (and ejection) of Sasha Obradovic,

Monaco has shot 26/102 3pts in this series, with such a percentage it is a big deal to have reached the 5th game at home. As I wrote before the first game this series is highly equilibrated and unpredictable.

Maccabi systematically lowered opponent 3p percentage during their end-of-regular-season run. it wasn't a luck. In addition, Monaco is one of the worst 3p shooting teams in competition. In second and third game Maccabi played worse defence, and were catastrophe from 3p. And Lorenzo wasn't completely there, probably due recovery from small injury he had against Real. Add to this criminally bad refereeing in second game, and here we are.
Now, it is all open, but if we will get Lorenzo (Baldwin is always there), and Diba and Colson and some power game from Maccabi's bigs, we do have a decent chance.

[Serbian_Layup]

You might look at who is Real missing in this series and who will they miss in game 5, before making big conclusions who is better team.

I'm making conclusions based on what I've seen in normal circumstances before suspensions and injuries on both sides and talking about players available to play in such circumstances. And it was clear as a day that Partizan was a lot better team. This series would have been done in 3, max 4 games, if there weren't for that brawl. Not a big conclusion, just based on empirical evidence, simple as that

[tonia]

At the last 5 games of regular season, Partizan won 4 games (at home against Real, Olympiacos and PAO) and away against Monaco and only lost at home against Barca.
When the playoffs started, they won the first 2 games in Madrid.
So, until the suspensions, Partizan looked quite invincible.
I don't know if they have better players than Real, but they had been playing under Obradovic's instructions as if they had.