Bold predictions: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

Check out the bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Game 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs between FC Barcelona and Olympiacos Piraeus.

Predictions: AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Predictions: Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

The Reds will make EuroLeague history

by Igor Petrinovic

As of this writing, no road team has ever won a Game 5 in the EuroLeague Playoffs. I say that will remain true as this game tips off, because I predicted Panathinaikos and Monaco will hold court at home and make the Final Four. But I say Olympiacos makes history on Wednesday night, beats Barcelona at Palau Blaugrana, and becomes the first team to win a deciding game in a best-of-five series away from home. I think the Reds have all the tools to get it done. The majority of this Olympiacos roster has gone through some major Final Four heartbreaks in the past two season, but now this group gets its own break. And I do not think momentum from Game 4 has anything to do with it. This is a do-or-die affair, a story of its own. I think the game will look a lot like Game 1, where Olympiacos takes control with its defense and eventually finds a way to close it out. My pick: Olympiacos.

Barcelona takes care of business

by Frankie Sachs

I understand that Olympiacos is the trendy upset pick here. In my eyes, Barcelona is the more talented team. And after the butt-kicking it received at Peace and Friendship Stadium last Thursday, head coach Roger Grimau's men will be as determined as ever. I expect Jabari Parker and Jan Vesely to shine and Nikola Kalinic and Nicolas Laprovittola to get the job done. The Reds are a formidable foe, but sadly for them, their season ends at the final hurdle before the Final Four. At least they can take solace in being the last team eliminated from the playoffs? Final Five? My pick: Barcelona.

Olympiacos to win third straight Game 5

by Geoff Gillingham

Olympiacos Piraeus fans can look forward to a third straight appearance at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four – and all have come in a Game 5. Okay, the third of those is yet to be finalized, but I think the Reds will follow Fenerbahce in winning on the road in Game 5 to eliminate Barcelona and reach the Final Four. History made twice in just a matter of hours on Wednesday night. Olympiacos showed what it can do by mauling Barcelona in Game 4, and the return to action of Kostas Papanikolaou and Nikola Milutinov only strengthens the options of head coach Georgios Bartzokas. Speaking of whom, Coach Bartzokas knows what it takes to win these games and I believe he'll have his men roaring to go come tipoff. My pick: Olympiacos.

Barca books its ticket to Berlin

by Javier Gancedo

Every playoff game is different and Barca should not think about its last game at Piraeus, not even for one second. Olympiacos's physicality was overwhelming, and head coach Georgios Bartzokas found the way to hurt Barca with Shaquielle McKissic, Kostas Papanikolaou and Nikola Milutinov playing stellar roles. Barca needs to match the Reds' physicality but has the right players to do so: Tomas Satoransky, Nikola Kalinic, Jan Vesely and Jabari Parker – all very experienced. Barca is 16-2 at Palau Blaugrana this season and I expect a very different game in which sharpshooters Nico Laprovittola and Alex Abrines should have something to say. The stage is set for Ricky Rubio to make the difference in a do-or-die game. I expect Barca to make the most out of the home-court advantage and reach a fourth consecutive Final Four for the first time in club history. My pick: Barca.

Reds will roll on to Berlin

by Frank Lawlor

I am going to double down on a history-making Wednesday. I not only think that Olympiacos has already been better in this series, but the re-emergence of both Nikola Milutinov and Kostas Papanikolaou in Game 4 makes the Reds a complete team, for the first time in recent memory, as they approach this do-or-die finale. Olympiacos has won two Game 5s in a row decisively with many of the same players. They will not be intimidated by playing on the road for this one. This team was one shot made or missed from last season's title, lost an MVP over the summer, and reeled themselves back to this moment despite no home-court advantage. Olympiacos has unfinished business at the Final Four and I think they will be motivated enough by that to steal Game 5 on the road. My pick: Olympiacos.