In a rematch of last season's semifinal, a big showdown awaits between the teams currently placed fifth and sixth as Monaco (6-4) welcomes Olympiacos (6-4).
Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos: 'Monaco is a very strong and special team'
Seasons
3 Mins read
The Reds are on a three-game winning run and boast the league's third-best defense, allowing just 75.5 points per game. Monaco snapped a losing streak in dramatic fashion thanks to Jaron Blossomgame's game-winning putback dunk in Baskonia, where Mike James again excelled with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. November MVP candidate Alec Peters will test Monaco's perimeter defense after scoring at least two triples in each of his last four games, while the host also possesses plenty of long-range weapons including Alpha Diallo, who has made 43.3% of three-point attempts this season including 2 of 3 at Baskonia last week.
Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach
"Monaco is a very strong and special team. They have a very strong perimeter and it’s always difficult to face them, especially at home. I order to get the win, we have to defend well. We want good partnerships, we have to be solid, but we also must be effective on both sides of the floor. We should also score because that is always necessary."
Giannoulis Larentzakis, Olympiacos player
"We are definitely ready. Monaco have a very strong perimeter and are very good one on one. In general, they are a strong team, but we will rely on the principles of our game and our defense. We know it will be a demanding game with great intensity. We know that the match will go to contacts and one on one. However, I believe that we can control the tempo, especially through our defense."