Bold predictions: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

Check out the bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Game 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs between Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

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Panathinaikos prevails at home

by Javier Gancedo

Let's face it, none of the three home teams will have a bigger advantage than Panathinaikos. OAKA Altion is a bigger arena and the noise level should be absolutely epic. Kostas Sloukas has a reputation for surviving closeout games and he should lead the Greens back to the Final Four for the first time since 2012. Mathias Lessort has been unstoppable all series long, and Kendrick Nunn improved his numbers throughout the series. It all points to an unforgettable night at OAKA, and it will be, one way or another. I believe that Panathinaikos's bench depth and versatility at both forwards, added to Sloukas's experience and Lessort's form should be enough for the Greens to survive another do-or-die situation. My pick: Panathinaikos

Maccabi will celebrate

by Frankie Sachs

It's easy to pick Panathinaikos here. The Greens are at home. They have the momentum after rallying to win Game 4. And the injury to Wade Baldwin means Maccabi is not even close to full strength. On the other hand… Maccabi has nothing to lose. If the visitors jump out to an early lead, the pressure on the hosts will start to mount quickly. What's more, Maccabi's players are better rested. Four Greens are among the top 10 in minutes played during the playoffs, with Mathias Lessort's 136 leading all players. The Maccabi frontline should be fresher. And finally, Maccabi – as a unit – has been here before. They lost Game 5 in Monaco last season. Panathinaikos is a unit that was put together this season. Add it all up and: My pick: Maccabi.

Panathinaikos to overwhelm Maccabi, make Final Four

by Geoff Gillingham

In front of a packed-out OAKA, the Panathinaikos players are ready to put on a show. The Greens haven't reached the Final Four in 12 years, but the Ergin Ataman effect – and his habit of speaking things into reality – will see Panathinaikos rise to the occasion and defeat Maccabi on Tuesday. Kendrick Nunn scored 25 and 27 points in Games 3 and 4, respectively, and he'll be looking to keep up that rate of scoring in Game 5. Expect a big night from Kostas Sloukas, too, as he has a habit of getting his teams over the line in Game 5s. With Wade Baldwin out, I think Maccabi will struggle to match Panathinaikos and will lose in a Game 5 for the second year in a row. My pick: Panathinaikos.

The Greens complete a comeback

by Igor Petrinovic

While I understand Maccabi supporters might not agree, the fact that this super-fun series has reached a deciding Game 5 has thrilled the basketball fans all around. As we all know so well by now, no team has ever won a Game 5 on the road in the EuroLeague Playoffs, and in my eyes, Panathinaikos is a heavy favorite to add to the 18-0 streak for home teams. I expect Maccabi to show a lot of fight, but this is what the Greens have been playing for the entire season, a do-or-die game in front of their passionate fans. I think Mathias Lessort and Kostas Sloukas will provide for all the needed energy, and will play until their wheels come off if needed. Simply put, I don't think head coach Ergin Ataman and his troops will get the opportunity slip away. I believe it will be Panathinaikos who we will be watching at the Final Four. My pick: Panathinaikos

Going with the Greens

by Frank Lawlor

Hats off to Maccabi on a stellar season. But I might not pick any EuroLeague team to overcome Game 5 in the din of OAKA against a Panathinaikos team that believes in itself and has the hunger and talent to back it up – perhaps not even Real Madrid. The loss of Wade Baldwin has been admirably covered thus far by the rest of Maccabi's backcourt, and even if he miraculously appears on Tuesday, it would hard to expect his best. I don't think the visitors have enough defense to keep a lid on Kostas Sloukas, Kendrick Nunn and whoever else steps up for the Greens between a host of possibilities. And, of course, there's Mathias Lessort, who has been willing his team to this moment all season. I don't see him not showing up, which is about the best hope for Maccabi. My pick: Panathinaikos.