The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings are close as ever, and that makes on Wednesday showdown particularly consequential even before tipoff.
Monaco looks to stay unbeaten against Panathinaikos
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AS Monaco vs. AKTOR Athens Panathinaikos is a game that might have a ripple effect in the standings. After Tuesday night's action, Monaco (8-6) sits between pairs of 9-6 and 8-7 teams, while Panathinaikos and two other teams playing Wednesday are right behind at 7-7 each. The Greens broke a three-game losing streak with an 81-89 road win against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne last week. Monaco has played five of its last six games on the road, and is no doubt happy to be back at Salle Gaston Medecin, where it has a 4-1 record in its last five home dates.
Panathinaikos looks for elusive win
Panathinaikos will have another opportunity to get its first win ever against Monaco. Neither had faced the other until Monaco made its EuroLeague debut with a 75-63 home win against Panathinaikos on September 30, 2021. Danilo Andjusic led the way with 17 points. Later that season, Monaco edged the Greens 83-91 in Athens with 29 points from Mike James.
Last season, too, Monaco won both of their games. Monaco visited OAKA Altion first and grabbed an 80-83 victory as James once again starred with 27 points, 12 fouls drawn and a PIR of 29. At Salle Gaston Medecin, Monaco bested Panathinaikos 84-70 on 18 points each from Jordan Loyd and Alpha Diallo. Down 4-0 in their head-to-head history, Panathinaikos will be intent on finally breaking through with a victory.
Two stars wore both jerseys
A couple of key players who have worn both teams' jerseys will be alert not to pass to the wrong team on Thursday.
James was with Panathinaikos for the better part of two seasons, helping the team reach the EuroLeague Playoffs in 2017 and 2018 but missing the Final Four in both cases despite starting those series with home-court advantage. James, who originally played in the Final Four with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2016, returned to the biggest stage with Monaco last spring.
Panathinaikos star center Mathias Lessort helped Monaco win the 2020-21 EuroCup title. He earned All-EuroCup First Team honors that season, averaging 12.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and a PIR of 17.8. Lessort already faced Monaco last season, when he played for Partizan Mozzartbet Belgrade, averaging 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and a PIR of 18.5 in two wins against his former team.
Greens have shooting numbers in their favor
Panathinaikos has been shooting the ball better on the road than Monaco does at home, a potential key if the Greens are to challenge for a win in the principality.
On the road, Panathinaikos has hit 37.6% of its shots from behind the arc and 54.9% of all two-pointers. Monaco has lower numbers at home (37.3% 3FG, 52.3% 2FG) but excels on the offensive glass, pulling down 13.0 boards per night at home, four more than its opponents. Only Diallo is hitting over 40% of his three-point shots at home (44.4% 3FG). James ranks second at 38.7%. Monaco should need more accuracy to have a better chance to win the game, especially since Panathinaikos has three players shooting over 40% on the road this season: Luca Vildoza (47.1% 3FG), Marius Grigonis (43.3%), who is listed as questionable, and Jerian Grant (42.9%). However, Panathinaikos will want to do better than its 72.2% free throw accuracy away from OAKA, which ranks 17th among all EuroLeague teams on the road.
Both teams know each other well, and with two masterminds like Monaco's head coach Sasa Obradovic and Ergin Ataman of Panathinaikos on the sidelines, EuroLeague fans can expect plenty of tactical surprises in what should be an outstanding game at Salle Gaston Medecin on Wednesday.