Panathinaikos-Real Madrid: a big game in Athens
Our team faces the first of two very demanding away games in the EuroLeague in less than 48 hours (8:15 pm; Movistar Deportes).
Real Madrid visits Panathinaikos today in the first game of a EuroLeague double round that will take them to play in Dubai on Thursday. Scariolo's team faces one of the perennial title favorites with the goal of securing their 17th victory in the competition to remain at the top of the standings.
Our team continues its stretch of away games in the EuroLeague. This will be the second of four consecutive matches. Madrid is the strongest team at home but also needs to win away to close the gap to the leadership, which is currently two victories away. From Athens to Dubai, our team will have two opportunities to win on the road. We are in fifth place, tied with Valencia Basket and Barcelona (16-10). Meanwhile, Panathinaikos is in play-in spots with one less win (15-10). In the last round, they narrowly defeated Asvel (78-79) and lost against Aris in the league. They are second behind Olympiacos in the Greek competition.
Madrid comes from a dominant victory against Casademont Zaragoza at the Movistar Arena and is the undisputed leader of the Spanish competition. February has started on a positive note. Procida (18 points) and Len (15+7 rebounds) led Scariolo's team on Sunday, who rested Lyles and Tavares. Maximum concentration is required against a very experienced opponent, with standout players in one-on-one situations like Nunn, who could return from injury, TJ Shorts, or Sloukas. The point guard was MVP of the last round. Osman, Juancho Hernangómez, and Holmes, increasingly taking on more roles, add to the danger of Ataman's team.
A new chapter between two giants of European basketball
This is currently the game with the most European Cups that can be played in the EuroLeague. A total of 18 between Real Madrid (11) and Panathinaikos (7). Only CSKA Moscow comes in between (8). Out of the last 10 visits to the greens' court, Madrid has won 7 times. The last victory came two seasons ago, 78-90, with an outstanding performance by Hezonja.
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.