Panathinaikos BC is the second team to make it to the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four, joining Real Madrid Baloncesto.

 Panathinaikos returns to the Final Four after 12 years 

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is officially back on the path to its former glories. After more than a decade-long wait, the six-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions have returned to the Final Four for the first time since 2012 after ousting Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in a dramatic best-of-five playoff series. Head coach Ergin Ataman's squad finished the job on Tuesday night with an 81-72 win in Game 5, prompting big celebrations in the Greek capital.

A thrilling and high-scoring series is to come to an end. The Greens' backcourt duo of Kostas Sloukas and Kendrick Nunn look to maintain the form that saw them combine 47 points and 10 assists in Game 4, while Maccabi should feel confident inside the paint after Dinos Mitoglou and Mathias Lessort shared 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Playoffs Game 5 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

By qualifying for the Final Four, Panathinaikos has successfully completed a major turnaround, which seems to be Coach Ataman's specialty. A club that had not seen playoff basketball since 2019, and which had won a total of just 20 games over the previous two campaigns, put together a brand-new team that jelled in time to win 17 of its last 21 regular-season games. Panathinaikos followed that up by battling to register three playoff wins, thus earning the right to compete for glory in Berlin, Germany, later this month. The Greens will face the winner of AS Monaco and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul’s Game 5 clash, which takes place on Wednesday night.

### Journey to the 2024 Final Four

Even though the season did not start as everyone in Athens had hoped, it did not take too long for Coach Ataman to steady the ship. Panathinaikos lost four of its first six games and had a 6-7 record in early December, only for the team to win eight of its next nine games. That winning run saw Panathinaikos shoot up the standings, and the Greek giant never ranked lower than fourth place after Round 18.

Panathinaikos did need a strong regular-season finish to clinch home-court advantage in the playoff – and the team delivered, winning its last five games. It required each one of those, including a dramatic 79-81 win in Bologna on [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/)'s buzzer-beating game-winner.

Following a progressive campaign thus far, Virtus find themselves in free-fall succumbing to four successive defeats. They hope that the experienced Toko Shengelia can contain the marauding presence of Mathias Lessort and Dinos Mitoglou as the Greens clamour to cement their position in the top-four.

Virtus-Panathinaikos | Round 32 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The ups and downs did not stop with the end of the regular season, however, as Panathinaikos lost that hard-earned home-court advantage with an 87-91 loss in Game 1 of its series against Maccabi. Led by [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) and [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/), the Greens bounced back with a 95-79 win in Game 2, but when the series moved to Belgrade, it was Maccabi that went back in front with a dramatic 85-83 win. Finding itself down 1-2 in the series, and with its backs against the wall, Panathinaikos leaned again on Sloukas, Nunn and [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) in Game 4, pulling out an 88-95 victory to force a Game 5.

With a do-or-die game in front of their passionate fans, the Greens were not going to let the opportunity slip away. In Game 5, Panathinaikos defeated Maccabi 81-72 after strong showings by Kendrick Nunn, with 26 points, and Kostas Sloukas , with 15.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Panathinaikos with a huge victory in GAME 5<a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paobcgr</a> wins the series 3-2! <br><br>Now time for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/qs66fqwAqd">pic.twitter.com/qs66fqwAqd</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1787942740782731662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Final Four experience

Even though the club has not been at the Final Four since 2012, a trio of Panathinaikos leaders have plenty of Final Four experience. None more so than three-time EuroLeague champion Kostas Sloukas, who will be competing in his 10th Final Four, after reaching five with Olympiacos Piraeus and four with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Sloukas has played in all but two Final Fours since 2012 and has appeared in seven championship games in that time.

Another Panathinaikos player who knows the feeling of competing at the Final Four is Ioannis Papapetrou, who went twice with Olympiacos – but not since 2017 – and lost in the championship game on both occasions.

Last but certainly not least, Coach Ataman is a two-time champion with Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Ataman first took Efes to the Final Four in 2000 and did the same with Montepaschi Siena in 2003 before three more trips with Efes between 2019 and 2022. In 2021 and 2022, the Turkish tactician guided the club to their first-ever EuroLeague titles.

It all comes down to this. Real Madrid, as the most-crowned team in EuroLeague history, take on reigning-champs Efes, who fight for the first back-to-back titles in almost a decade, but who will snatch the glory?

Real Madrid v Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Championship Game - Highlights

### Final Four history

The Greens might have been missing from Final Four action over the past 12 years, but the Final Four was synonymous with Panathinaikos in the decade before its last appearance. The Greek giants went to six Final Fours between 2002 and 2012, winning on four occasions – in 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2011 – and also getting there in 2005 and 2012, when it lost in the semifinals.

Also, Panathinaikos won EuroLeague titles in 1996 and 2000, with two more appearances in 1994 and 1995. Panathinaikos also reached the SuproLeague Final Four in 2001, which also happens to be the only title game it lost.

The return to European basketball’s showpiece event marks a very familiar feeling to the army of Panathinaikos fans, albeit one they needed a lengthy wait to feel once again.

The Greens are looking to become champions for the first time since 2011

Panathinaikos returns to the Final Four after 12 years

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-05-07T18:15:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ended its 12-year wait to return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four by overcoming Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, 81-72, in a very intensely contested Game 5 decider on Tuesday. 

Maccabi had the better of the opening exchanges, but Panathinaikos was spurred on by an electric atmosphere to gradually pull back and it was tied, 41-41, at halftime. The third quarter saw plenty of lead changes, ending with the hosts up 58-56 before the Greens scored the first 6 points of the fourth quarter to take control for good. 

Kendrick Nunn again led Panathinaikos with 26 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting, while Kostas Sloukas, who ended the game injured, scored 15. Mathias Lessort netted 9 points despite missing 11 free throws and added 11 rebounds, while Juancho Hernangomez scored 11 and Ioannis Papapetrou contributed 10. 

Lorenzo Brown led Maccabi from the backcourt with 19 points and 7 assists, and Josh Nebo provided power in the paint with 14 points and 7 rebounds. 

Game Videos

The opening baskets came inside through Lessort and Jake Cohen, before John DiBartolomeo’s three gave Maccabi its first lead. Nebo and Brown stretched the edge to 4-9, but Papapetrou pulled Panathinaikos closer from deep. Cohen and Nebo were again on target to make it 8-15 with a 0-6 run, but triples from Nunn and Jerian Grant answered for the Greens. Hernangomez’s alley-oop layup and Sloukas’s transition bucket made it 19-21 after 10 minutes. 

Nunn and Tamir Blatt traded triples to start the second stanza before Nebo and Jasiel Rivero netted inside to keep Maccabi ahead. Nunn’s jumper capped a 5-0 run for a 29-28 lead, and Sloukas added a three. Nebo’s putback and Antonius Cleveland’s lucky missed dunk which dropped in forced another lead change, and James Webb III’s triple made it 34-37. Sloukas scored inside and Papapetrou netted from deep, but Rivero was strong at the rim to make it 41-41 at the interval. 

Game News

Brown’s jumper opened the second half scoring, but Papapetrou responded immediately. Bonzie Colson and Nunn traded three-point strikes before Sloukas and DiBartolomeo did the same for a 49-49 tie midway through the third. Nebo scored 4 points straight, but Hernangomez hit from long-range and Nunn scored twice from the line, 54-53. Blatt’s triple forced another lead change, but the Greens saw another swing as Hernangomez and Kostas Antetokounmpo scored from the line for a 58-56 lead after three quarters. 

Panagiotis Kalaitzakis lifted the Greens with a steal and slam to start the final period, and Nunn’s three-pointer completed a 10-0 run for a 64-56 lead. Brown’s jumper ended Maccabi’s spell of more than 6 minutes without scoring, but Nunn and Dinos Mitoglou scored from the line for a 68-58 lead. Blatt and Brown triples gave Maccabi hope, but Nunn responded with his own three-pointer and inside score. Brown hit again to make it 73-67, but Lessort’s consecutive putback and layup kept the Greens comfortable, and Nunn’s stepback three sealed the deal to spark huge celebrations. 

The Greens scored the first 6 points of the fourth quarter to pull away and never looked back

Panathinaikos celebrates after 81-72 Game 5 victory over Maccabi 

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.

Bold predictions: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

[Predictions: AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bold-predictions-monaco-vs-fenerbahce/)

[Predictions: Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bold-predictions-panathinaikos-vs-maccabi/)

### 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.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6q1qVnNA6O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Olympiacos B.C. 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### 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.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Sessió prèvia al 5è partit ✅<br><br>ESTEM A PUNT! 💪 <a href="https://t.co/4YNzQlwujs">pic.twitter.com/4YNzQlwujs</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1787834634601984024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 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.

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### 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.

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### 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.

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-05-08T19:00:00.000Z)

Check out the bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Game 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs between AS Monaco and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Bold predictions: Monaco vs. Fenerbahce

[Predictions: FC Barcelona vs . Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bold-predictions-barcelona-vs-olympiacos/)

[Predictions: Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bold-predictions-panathinaikos-vs-maccabi/)

### Fenerbahce steals the show

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Both teams have won at home and on the road, so this is one hard showdown to predict. Fenerbahce has managed to force Mike James to shoot the ball poorly (32.1% 2FG, 23.8% 3FG) until now, mainly due to Nick Calathes's outstanding defense. Fenerbahce found balance on offense with Georgios Papagiannis helping on the boards, and has a good number of pure shooters ready to bounce back from that painful home loss in Game 5. Whether it's Scottie Wilbekin, Tyler Dorsey, Tarik Biberovic or Marko Guduric, Fenerbahce can find answers from beyond the arc. Monaco had six players averaging over 25 minutes per game in this series, which makes the team a bit predictable at this point. Only Nigel Hayes-Davis and Calathes play over 25 minutes on average for Fenerbahce. The visitors should be fresh and ready to look for advantages everywhere. My pick: Fenerbahce.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6hTjuGC5t6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Fenerbahçe Beko (@fbbasketbol)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Monaco toughs it out, reaches Berlin

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

The closest and the most physical series will come down to that, physicality. The first three games might have been high scoring affairs, but the Game 4 was just what I expect this Game 5 to be; a physical, defensive-minded, low-scoring game. That is a type of game Monaco will want, and I think that's the game that Monaco will win. Jordan Loyd and Elie Okobo have been huge for Monaco, and I believe Mike James will join them in this decider. Fenerbahce did steal the series opener in the principality, but I don't see Nate Sestina getting hot as he did that night. Also, when Fenerbahce won Game 3, Tyler Dorsey and Scottie Wilbekin each hit 6 triples, and I don't see that happening again. Besides, my prediction for the entire series said it will go to five games, with teams splitting wins in Monaco and in Istanbul. So, I am sticking to it. It's going to be a battle, but I go with the home team. My pick: Monaco.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">📢 𝑻𝑶𝑼𝑺 𝑨̀ 𝑮𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑵-𝑴𝑬́𝑫𝑬𝑪𝑰𝑵 ‼️❤️‍🔥<br><br>🚀 𝐶&#39;𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑙&#39;ℎ𝑒𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒 𝑙&#39;𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑒́𝑒 𝑎̀ 𝑑𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑒 !🏠🇲🇨<br><br>🙌 La <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> a besoin de votre soutien dans ce game 5️⃣ 🆚️ <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBBasketbol</a> ♨️<br><br>🎟 𝑂𝑢𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒… <a href="https://t.co/dumS64qg3b">pic.twitter.com/dumS64qg3b</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1786525302803361986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Fenerbahce to make history in Monaco

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

For the first time in the EuroLeague Playoffs history, we will see a road winner in a Game 5. Fenerbahce has what it takes to go on the road and win at Monaco, having already done so in Game 1, and head coach Saras Jasikevicius is certainly capable of putting together a game plan to send his team to the Final Four. Coach Jasikevicius has become an expert in guiding teams to the Final Four, doing so in three straight seasons with FC Barcelona, and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal this time around. With Nick Calathes running the show and the likes of Scottie Wilbekin, Nigel Hayes-Davis and Marko Guduric all capable of stepping up scoring-wise, Fenerbahce has a great opportunity to stun Monaco in the principality. My pick: Fenerbahce.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">8 Mayıs Çarşamba günü AS Monaco ile karşılaşacağımız Play-off serisi beşinci maçı öncesi istatistik liderleri!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/NneU8Biqoa">pic.twitter.com/NneU8Biqoa</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1787491861667467708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Monaco makes the Final Four, again

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

The more I think about this series, the more confident I am in Monaco winning Game 5, just like it did last season against Maccabi. Mike James has been quiet for too long. Too many Monaco role players have been playing well. Fenerbahce had its chances and missed. It has not been great on the road this season, while Monaco has been superb at home. Monaco was built for this. Fenerbahce is a team that underwent no small amount of change during the season. It has overcome plenty and at times seemed destined to be in Berlin. But that was then. On Wednesday, Monaco will create its own destiny. My pick: Monaco.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🧗‍♂️ 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑰𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒃𝒖𝒍, 𝑹𝒐𝒄𝒂 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒄 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝟒, 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝟓, 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 😤 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆… <a href="https://t.co/e30UhDABsA">pic.twitter.com/e30UhDABsA</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1787405760650948764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Fenerbahce breaks the curse

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

The EuroLeague is too exceptionally competitive to think that home-court advantage will always prevail. Monaco and Fenerbahce are very evenly matched, and have proven so by winning once on each other's floor already in this series. Monaco's guards get all the love, but I like the way their big men have come to play lately. If Fenerbahce doesn't have Johnathan Motley again and John Brown is available for Monaco – both are considered game-time decisions – I might waver more on this. But knowing what we know, I believe Fenerbahce has what it takes to pull off a historic first. Nigel-Hayes is rested and ready for a big game. Nick Calathes is not going to tremble at the pressure. Georgios Papagiannis adds a dimension this team didn't have when the series started. And one or two among Marko Guduric, Tyler Dorsey and Scottie Wilbekin are likely to heat up with Sarunas Jasikevicius calling the plays. It should be a great battle, but my hunch is that Fenerbahce will be going to Berlin. My pick: Fenerbahce.

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-05-08T17:00:00.000Z)

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.

Bold predictions: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

[Predictions: AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bold-predictions-monaco-vs-fenerbahce/)

[Predictions: FC Barcelona vs . Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bold-predictions-barcelona-vs-olympiacos/)

### 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**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">☘ GAME DAY <br>🏀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaccabiTLVBC</a> <br>🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> | PlayOffs - G5<br>🕔 21:15 🇬🇷 <br>📍 OAKA<br>📺 Novasports Prime<br>❕SOLD OUT<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToBerlin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToBerlin</a> <a href="https://t.co/i3ua0SjkQq">pic.twitter.com/i3ua0SjkQq</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1787739875464159526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 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.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The time is NOW! ⌛ <a href="https://t.co/araliCQrzO">pic.twitter.com/araliCQrzO</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1787836696194601188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 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.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SOLD OUT IN A FLASH! 💥<br><br>All tickets were gone in only 6 hours! <br><br>A roaring crowd awaits 😤☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOFans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOFans</a>, you are amazing! Let’s break the sound records too 🔊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToBerlin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToBerlin</a> <a href="https://t.co/ckROAKu9bs">pic.twitter.com/ckROAKu9bs</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1786417355800653994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 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**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">✊🏻💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://t.co/J36rFt7r0Y">pic.twitter.com/J36rFt7r0Y</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1787508773403099522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 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.**

Check out all the injuries, absences and potential returns to action expected for Game 5 of the playoffs before the Fantasy Challenge deadline.

 Injury report: EuroLeague Playoffs Game 5 

The 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs are coming to a close! For those of you looking to make changes to your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge side – or for fans who are wondering about the status of their team’s players – here's the latest injury news.

#### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (May 7, 2024 – 20:15 CEST)

Wade Baldwin's participation for Maccabi will be decided on Tuesday, the club said. He played in Game 4 and aggravated his hamstring injury. The remainder of Maccabi's roster will be available.

Panathinaikos is expected to have a full roster available for Game 5. Juancho Hernangomez, who has been injured or ill and hasn't played since Game 1, practiced with the team on Monday and head coach Ergin Ataman said he expects to put him on the 12-man roster.

#### FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – 19:00 CEST)

Barcelona has not reported any injuries ahead of Game 5. Olympiacos lists guard Giannoulis Larentzakis as questionable for Game 5 due to an ankle injury.

#### AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – 21:00 CEST)

Monaco's John Brown left Game 2 with a shoulder injury and has not played since. His participation in Game 5 will be a game-time decision, the club reports. Swingman Terry Tarpey is not available for Game 5.

Fenerbahce’s [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) has not yet played in the series due to a leg injury, but he practiced with the team this week and will make the trip to Monaco. His participation will be decided closer to game time.

Injury report: Playoffs Game 5

Forty minutes on Tuesday will decide which of these storied clubs will end its Final Four drought

Panathinaikos, Maccabi are all-in for Game 5

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens has not been to the Final Four since 2012. Its last Final Four game was Zeljko Obradovic's last Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game with the Greens. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv has a chance to reach the Final Four for the first time since it lifted the trophy in 2014. Only one of them will make it, as Panathinaikos hosts Maccabi in Game 5 of their playoff series on Tuesday.

### Deja vu, 12 years later

Panathinaikos and Maccabi were in this same exact situation in 2012 when they faced each other at OAKA Altion in a win-or-go-home Game 5. It was one of the most thrilling games in playoff history, too. Maccabi battled back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit and current assistant coach Guy Pnini made free throws to tie the game, 85-85, with 9.8 seconds to go. Dimitris Diamantidis drew a foul, made the go-ahead free throw and denied Tal Burstein from getting off a final shot in the closing seconds to send the Greens to the Final Four. Diamantidis finished with a career-high 25 points and set a EuroLeague Playoffs record with 15 free throws made. Former Maccabi star Sarunas Jasikevicius added 13 for Panathinaikos.

Panathinaikos will head to Istanbul to try to defend its Turkish Airlines Euroleague crown at the 2012 Final Four after holding off Maccabi Electra 86-85 in a classic Game 5 in front of a packed house at OAKA.

CLASSIC GAME: Panathinaikos Athens vs Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv - Playoffs - 5th April 2012

Panathinaikos has played three other do-or-die playoffs games, losing 64-53 against FC Barcelona in 2013 and 74-44 to CSKA Moscow in 2014 in respective best-of-five series. The Greens also lost Game 3 of their best-of-three series against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2006, 71-74, at home. It is the only time in EuroLeague history that the road team won a win-or-go-hime game to qualify for the Final Four. Since then, home teams are 5-0 in Game 3s of a best-of-three series and 18-0 in Game 5s of a best-of-five series. Maccabi was once again in that situation last season, losing Game 5 on the road against AS Monaco, 97-86. 

### Greens need Sloukas at his best

Panathinaikos star guard [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) has a reputation for playing big roles in closeout games, which has allowed him the chance to make it to its 10th Final Four if his team wins Game 5. Sloukas is 9-1 in playoff series and has a chance to make it to the Final Four with a third different team, after reaching it with Olympiacos Piraeus and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Sloukas has also been his team's key player in both wins of this series, averaging 24.5 points of 13-of-18 two-point and 5-of-9 three-point shooting and 5.5 rebounds for a PIR of 30.0. In his team's two losses, Sloukas's numbers have been 6.0 points on 2-of-4 two-point and 1-of-5 three-point shooting plus 3.0 rebounds for a PIR of 12.5. Clearly, Panathinaikos is at its best when Sloukas plays a main role.

In Panathinaikos's both wins, Kostas Sloukas averaged 24.5 points of 13 of 18 two-pointers and 5 of 9 three-pointers, 5.5 rebounds and a PIR of 30.0.

Sloukas, unstoppable in Panathinaikos' playoff wins

### In the name of the father

Without the injured [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), other Maccabi guards have had to step up. One of them has been [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/), who comes off an outstanding Game 4 performance with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for a PIR of 19. Blatt is a distinguished member of a big basketball family. His father, David Blatt, is one of three coaches to ever win the EuroLeague and the EuroCup, along with the late Dusan Ivkovic and Ergin Ataman. Coach Blatt also took Maccabi to the 2011 EuroLeague Championship Game, where he lost in Barcelona against Panathinaikos, 70-78. A year later, Blatt and Maccabi lost Game 5 of the playoffs in Athens. If Maccabi beats the Greens in Game 5, the Blatt family would become first to have a father and son reach the Final Four as head coach and player.

Tamir Blatt comes off an outstanding Game 4 performance, finishing it with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and a PIR of 19.

Blatt has strong Game 4 performance

### The centers of attention

Panathinaikos center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) has been the top performer in the playoffs with an average PIR of 26.4. He is fourth in scoring (16.0 ppg.), second in rebounding (6.8 rpg.) and tied for third in blocks (1.3 bpg.). It would sound like Lessort has delivered at knock out at the center position. Not so fast… His Maccabi counterpart [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/)’s numbers have not been as good as Lessort’s, but in the Israeli champs’ two wins, Nebo has shined. He has averaged 17.0 points on 14-of-19 shooting (73.7%), 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals for a PIR of 24.5 in Games 1 and 3. 

There are a few noteworthy numbers to examine when comparing these two towers of power. Lessort is playing nearly 9 minutes more per game, having crossed the 30-minute barrier in all four games, while Nebo has not touched 30 yet. With Lessort having played 35 total minutes more over the series, that’s the equivalent of a full extra game on his body and could be meaningful down the stretch. Another issue is that while Lessort draws many more fouls, he has struggled from the foul line. Lessort has drawn an average of 9.8 fouls per game, compared to just 2.2 by Nebo. However, Lessort has made just 48.6% of his free throws – and even fewer (43.4%) in the Greens’ two losses. Lessort’s ability to give Coach Ataman 100% for 35 more minutes while making a much higher percentage of free throws are two things that could prove decisive in this game – and series. 

Every game matters in absolute terms this week, as the winners of three Game 5s will go to the Final Four while the losers go home.

Trio of Game 5s guarantees EuroLeague fans peak competitive passion

What a time to be a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fan!

After 627 fixtures over seven months in the 2023-24 season, just seven games remain. Amazingly, six of them are do-or-die, including a trio of playoffs Game 5s on Tuesday and Wednesday to determine the remaining 2024 Final Four qualifiers.

[EuroLeague TV subscribers](https://tv.euroleague.net/) will be able to see all three games, featuring iconic clubs from five countries, in full. [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens hosts Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/329/) on Tuesday, then on Wednesday it's [AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/328/) followed by [FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/327/).

Those destiny-defining showdowns are the very pinnacle of team sports, and thanks to the ever-increasing parity and competitiveness in the EuroLeague, fans are being treated to more Game 5s than ever. Among 16 EuroLeague Playoffs series in the last four seasons, an incredible 11 of have come down to the unmatchable drama of Game 5.

For the third time in four years, supporters of six EuroLeague clubs head into playoffs finale hoping that their team will have enough to clinch the Final Four. Once there, two more wins will let one team go home with the EuroLeague trophy.

The 2024 EuroLeague Playoffs mark just the third season out of 15 with best-of-five quarterfinals in which three series have gone the distance. It previously occurred in 2021 and 2023, but before this decade, only twice – in 2013 and 2014.

### The huge benefit of home-court advantage

All season long, clubs work tirelessly to try to ensure they have home-court advantage in the playoffs. Why? The answer is simple:

In the last five seasons, higher-seeded teams that start the playoffs with home-court advantage are 16-1, including the only series this year that is complete, defending champion Real Madrid's 3-0 sweep of fellow Spanish club Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. Since 2018, Efes has been the only lower seed to win a playoff series, doing so in four games vs. Milan in 2022 on the way to its second consecutive EuroLeague title.

But if starting a series at home gives a team great odds, finishing one that goes the distance on your own court has been nothing less than a guarantee. When series have gone down to a Game 5, home teams are a perfect 18-0 since the playoffs were formalized as best-of-five quarterfinals in 2009.

Panathinaikos, Monaco and Barcelona will be determined to make that figure reach 22-0 come the close of day on Wednesday night. But whatever the past says, however, Maccabi, Fenerbahce and Olympiacos have other ideas. They are all looking to become the first Game 5 road winners this century, a truly historic feat should one or more of them prevail this week.

This could be the season that the home-team Game 5 streak is broken, too, because all six clubs playing on Tuesday and Wednesday are well-acquainted with the high-pressure demands of Game 5. Indeed, of 19 series since 2009 that reached the limit, those six clubs have been involved in 14 of them.

Barcelona is the most experienced with six Game 5 appearances, though Olympiacos is the most successful, winning four of its own five such showdowns. The Reds, Barca and Monaco are all about to play Game 5 for the third spring in a row, while Fenerbahce took part in a Game 5 for the first time last season.

Playing at home has made all the difference until now. Tuesday and Wednesday will tell us if that remains true. 

### Players who have risen to the do-or-die occasion

Like their clubs, many stars playing this week know exactly what it takes to survive Game 5. Several who have already demonstrated how to send their teams to the Final Four.

Panathinaikos guard [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) did so last season for Olympiacos by earning Game 5 MVP honors after pairing 22 points with 6 assists in a do-or-die showdown with Fenerbahce. Sloukas has a 3-1 career mark Game 5s and is preparing to play his third in succession. In the last two, he  averaged 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and a 24.5 PIR in sending Olympiacos to back-to-back Final Fours. Panathinaikos will be counting on him to do the same on Tuesday.

Kostas Sloukas earned Game 5 MVP honors for his performance for Olympiacos Piraeus against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

Sloukas's Game 5 highlights vs. Fenerbahce

Another Game 5 specialist is Olympiacos veteran [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/). Having returned from illness to make a major contribution to his team's Game 4 survival win against Barcelona, the Reds' captain will now be looking to build on his 4-0 record in Game 5s. Papanikolaou may not have put up huge numbers in those games – averaging 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in four previous Game 5s – but he is renowned for stopping his opponents defensively and making big plays. Last year, Papanikolaou finished with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double in that Olympiacos win over Fenerbahce.

Olympiacos's Kostas Papanikolaou had a double-double in Game 5 against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

Papanikolaou's Game 5 highlights vs. Fenerbahce

Among other stars playing this week who have shined in Game 5s, Monaco icon [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) has averaged 22.5 points and 7.5 assists in his two previous finales, losing two seasons ago but winning last year. Fenerbahce's [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) netted 26 points in his only Game 5, a loss last season, while Barcelona's [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) erupting for 26 points in his only Game 5 appearance, a win over FC Bayern Munich in 2022. Alas, Maccabi star Wade Baldwin had 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, good for a 35 PIR, in last year's Game 5 defeat to Monaco, but he will be unavailable for Game 5 this time around against Panathinaikos.

With so much talent on show across the six teams, will we get to see a first road winner in a Game 5 or will the home sides rule once more?

[You can watch all the action unfold on EuroLeague TV.](https://tv.euroleague.net/)

Every game matters in absolute terms this week: winners to the Final Four while losers go home

A thrilling and high-scoring series will conclude as Panathinaikos welcomes Maccabi to Athens, with the momentum back on the Greens' side after Game 4's 88-95 thriller in Belgrade.

Preview Game 5: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/329/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g5-game-facts-pan-tel/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g5-game-notes-pan-tel/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g5-prequotes-pan-tel/) |[ TV ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/)| [Predictions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-predictions-panathinaikos-vs-maccabi)

Panathinaikos backcourt duo of [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) and [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) will look to maintain the form that saw them combine for 47 points and 10 assists on Thursday, while Ergin Ataman's men will also feel confident about going inside the paint after [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) and [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) shared 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Maccabi's hopes took a blow when backcourt ace [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) reinjured his hamstring and played just 7 minutes in Game 4. Baldwin is not expected to play in Game 5. That said, [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) showed he can also be a factor after providing 13 points and 7 assists with no turnovers in the last game. [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) also has stepped up to score at least 16 points in each of the last four games.

[Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) and [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/) will try to crash the glass to earn extra possessions for Maccabi, which claimed 15 offensive boards last time out. But the Greens can also play hard, especially through Lessort, who has drawn an average of 9.8 fouls per game during this compelling series.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/) | [Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/)

Two of the hottest guards in the league will go at it when Kostas Sloukas faces Lorenzo Brown

Maccabi find themselves on the brink of reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2014 following a narrow triumph in the third showdown. In their way way are a Greens outfit needing a big response from veteran leader Kostas Sloukas after he was held scoreless, yet armed with Kendrick Nunn in explosive form.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv- Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Playoffs Game 4 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv moved within one win of a Final Four berth, holding on against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in a real thriller, 85-83, to take a 2-1 series lead. 
Maccabi raced into an early advantage and enjoyed several double-digit advantages throughout the first half, which ended 46-37. The lead stretched to 18 points, 57-39, in the third quarter, but Panathinaikos didn’t give up and tied it with 42 seconds left. Lorenzo Brown then won the game, netting free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv- Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Playoffs Game 3 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Maccabi's 87-91 win in Game 1 was powered by backcourt duo Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin, although but the latter had retreat early with a leg injury. The Greens need a bounce-back performance from Kendrick Nunn after he scored just 8 points, but may again count on Kostas Sloukas after his double-double.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Playoffs Game 2 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

After finishing the regular season with nine consecutive home wins, Panathinaikos look to carry that form into postseason versus a dangerous Maccabi roster, which cruised through its play-in test by crushing Baskonia 113-85 and are one of the only three visiting teams to have won in Athens this term.

Panathinaikos returns to the Final Four after 12 years

Panathinaikos celebrates after 81-72 Game 5 victory over Maccabi

Bold predictions: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

Bold predictions: Monaco vs. Fenerbahce

Bold predictions: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

Injury report: Playoffs Game 5

Panathinaikos, Maccabi are all-in for Game 5

Trio of Game 5s guarantees EuroLeague fans peak competitive passion

Panathinaikos, Maccabi will play for Final Four in OAKA