Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens romped to a 95-79 victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Game 2 of their best-of-five Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoff series, leveling things at 1-1 as Kostas Sloukas poured in a career-high 29 points for the home side.

Panathinaikos sinks Maccabi, 95-79, to even the series 

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens romped to a 95-79 victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Game 2 of their best-of-five Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoff series, leveling things at 1-1 as Kostas Sloukas poured in a career-high 29 points for the home side.

Ioannis Papapetrou added 15 points for the Greens and Dinos Mitoglou amassed 14 points to go with 6 rebounds. Mathias Lessort racked up 11 points and 8 boards while Kendrick Nunn chipped in with 10 points to underline a flowing team effort by Panathinaikos, which rallied from a 20-28 first quarter deficit.

At the other end, Lorenzo Brown paced Maccabi with 18 points, while Jake Cohen and Antonius Cleveland netted 12 each. Tamir Blatt added 11 points for the visitors, who faded after a bright start. Maccabi sorely missed guard Wade Baldwin, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury which he sustained in a blistering Game 1 performance.

Game Videos

Maccabi made the brighter start in a fast-paced encounter and came out on top in a rollercoaster first quarter, silencing a fervent home crowd as Cohen fired on all cylinders. The forward scored 10 points in the opening 10 minutes with Maccabi lethal from long range, but Panathinaikos turned the match on its head in the second quarter when Sloukas started to run the show for the home team.

Although the Greens were missing their influential big man Juancho Hernangomez, they dominated the boards at both ends and thrived from offensive rebounds as Maccabi’s game plan got ripped to shreds. Having trailed 35-38 midway through the second period, Panathinaikos engineered a 21-1 streak either side of halftime to take a 56-39 lead early in the third and never looked back.

Game News

Maccabi did storm back with a 4-17 run of its own, though, slashing the home side’s lead to 71-68 early in the fourth, but the Israeli champion was unable to force a final twist as Panathinaikos soon weathered the storm. Propelled by Lessort’s physicality and even more so by effervescent shooting from Sloukas, the Greens responded with an 11-2 run that put the game beyond Maccabi’s reach.

In the end, it was an emphatic win for Panathinaikos and its center Kostas Antetokounmpo put the icing on the cake with a monster block on Cleveland right on the final buzzer, sparking rapturous celebrations from a joyous home crowd.

The Greens benefited from a superb second quarter to win Game 2 and draw level in a fascinating tie 

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-04-25T18:15:00.000Z)

After comfortably claiming Game 1 with a 90-74 victory, reigning champ Real Madrid will look to move within one more win of another Final Four appearance, while Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz needs a big reaction to level the series.

Real looks to go up 2-0 on Baskonia in Game 2

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/314/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-facts-mad-bas/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-notes-mad-bas/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-prequotes-mad-bas/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Predictions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-predictions-real-madrid-vs-baskonia)

The home team delivered a serious and focused performance on Tuesday thanks to a real collective effort, with only [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) (16 points) scoring more than 10 points and 11 different players scoring at least 2 field goals.

Against that formidable depth, Baskonia will hope key scorer [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) recovers full fitness after a knee injury restricted him to just 18 minutes of action in Game 1.

Real big men [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) and [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/) all helped control the paint by grabbing 7 rebounds apiece on Tuesday, so Baskonia needs another strong performance from [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/) (14 points, 6 boards) – especially as [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) remains sidelined through injury.

The visiting team also has to find a way of disrupting Real's rhythm after Los Blancos dished 21 assists in Game 1 led by 6 from [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/). Real showed great execution by committing just 7 turnovers against 12 from Baskonia – another area for Dusko Ivanovic's team to improve upon on Thursday.

[Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Baskonia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/statistics/bas/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Vincent Poirier vs. Matthew Costello: Two stylistically different centers will have plenty to say in Game 2 on Thursday.

Reigning champ and regular season standings leader Real aim to strike first against Baskonia, which qualified for the playoffs by surging past Virtus Segafredo Bologna in a play-in decider. Who can reign in Spain and snatch the lead in the series from this opening encounter?

Real Madrid-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Playoffs Game 1 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

After comfortably claiming Game 1 with a 90-74 victory, reigning champ Real Madrid will look to move within one more win of another Final Four appearance, while Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz needs a big reaction to level the series.


Real Madrid v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-04-25T19:00:00.000Z)

Having suffered its first home defeat in more than four months, Panathinaikos needs to react against a Maccabi team aiming to take a giant step towards ending its decade-long absence from the Final Four.

Preview Game 2: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/317/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-facts-pan-tel/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-notes-pan-tel/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-prequotes-pan-tel/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Predictions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-predictions-panathinaikos-vs-maccabi)

Maccabi's 87-91 win on Tuesday was powered by backcourt duo [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) (16 points) and [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) (15 points, 7 assists), but Baldwin ended the game early with a leg injury. He is ruled out for Game 2 with a hamstring injury.

Another key player for Maccabi was [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) with 18 points, and the Greens will look for more up against him from [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/), who was held to 9 points on Tuesday. Panathinaikos also need a bounce-back performance from [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) after he scored just 8 points, but can again count on the leadership of [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) after his double-double of 12 points and 13 assists on Tuesday.

We can expect another big battle in the paint after strong performances from both [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) (22 points, 6 rebounds) and [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) (12 points, 8 boards), and Panathinaikos will be determined to better protect its backboard after Maccabi claimed 15 offensive rebounds in the series opener.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mathias Lessort vs. Josh Nebo: The battle between these two heavyweights will be at the heart of what happens in Game 2 on Thursday.

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 AKTOR Athens-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv| Playoffs Game 1 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

After finishing the regular season with nine consecutive home wins, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens will look to stay strong in the Greek capital with a visit on Tuesday from dangerous Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, which cruised through its play-in test by crushing Baskonia 113-85.

Panathinaikos aims to rebound against Maccabi

After the playoffs opened with visiting teams taking three Game 1 victories for the first time ever, several home teams will have to bounce back or find themselves against the ropes.

Playoffs Game 2: Home teams must respond

[AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/316/)

Monaco came out on top 93-88 in a rollercoaster thanks to a huge fourth quarter as Jordan Lloyd scored six points in a frantic finish to level the series. Fenerbahce looked the more likely winner at the end of the third quarter, but the visiting team struggled on offense in the home stretch ad the hosts took full advantage, thriving from a flowing team effort in the final 10 minutes of a rip-roaring contest. Donatas Moteijunas paced Monaco with 18 points while Tyler Dorsey netted a game-high 25 at the other end.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">💥 𝙑𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙍𝙀 ❤️‍🔥<br><br>✅️ Au bout d&#39;un dernier quart-temps incandescent, la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> remporte ce match 2️⃣ dans un Gaston-Médecin bouillant ! 🥵♨️<br><br>⏩️ Rendez-vous à Istanbul pour la suite de la série 🆚️ <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBBasketbol</a> !⚔️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/9a6G3jBD2B">pic.twitter.com/9a6G3jBD2B</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1783939658818208183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[FC Barcelona 77-69 Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/315/)

Barcelona punished Olympiacos from beyond the arc to seal the win and tie the series at 1-1. The hosts led 27-14 after the first quarter, 43-37 at the half and 60-57 at the end of the third. The two teams went scoreless for more than 1 and a half minute before Filip Petrusev netted a floater. Alex Abrines responded with an open triple, but Petrusev brought Olympiacos within 63-61. A Parker corner three-pointer was followed by a Rokas Jokubaitis mid-range jumper to extend Barcelona’s lead to 68-61 with 6 minutes left on the clock. Abrines responded to an Alec Peters dunk with another triple and Jabari Parker netted one deep to make it 74-64. Five Peters points cut the difference to 76-69, but it wasn’t enough for Olympiacos to come back in the closing stages.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">SÍ!!! LA 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎̀𝐑𝐈𝐀 ES QUEDA AL PALAU!! 👊 <a href="https://t.co/ihTl7mjijn">pic.twitter.com/ihTl7mjijn</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1783960325764571414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 95-79 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/317/)

Panathinaikos levelled the series 1-1 with a resounding 95-79 win over Maccabi in Game 2, with the home side thriving from a majestic performance by Kostas Sloukas who paced the home side with a career-high 29 points. A 4-17 run late in the third quarter and early in the fourth allowed Maccabi to slash the home team’s lead to 71-68 before a decisive surge saw the Greens pull away again, with Mathias Lessort also instrumental as he racked up 11 points and 8 boards. Papapetrou added 15 points for Panathinaikos while Lorenzo Brown paced Maccabi with 18 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<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> 95-79 <a href="https://t.co/Nm5DhU6xg2">pic.twitter.com/Nm5DhU6xg2</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1783592079945302139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Real Madrid 101-90 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/314/)

Real Madrid is one win away from the EuroLeague Final Four! *Los Blancos* beat Baskonia 101-90 at WiZink Center to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five series. The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle and at the end of it, Sergio Llull's buzzer-beating three-pointer gave Real a 23-21 edge. Vincent Poirier and Facu Campazzo allowed Real to boost their margin to 46-40 at halftime. Campazzo got plenty of help from Guerschon Yabusele and Tavares to make it a double-digit game, 74-63, after 30 minutes. Llull and Gabriel Deck kept Real way ahead until the final buzzer. Campazzo paced the winners with 24 points and 7 assists. Vanja Marinkovic led Baskonia with 20 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🏁 FP: <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> 101 - 90 <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/wctIr5glCW">pic.twitter.com/wctIr5glCW</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1783599749716672917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game Center: Monaco, Barcelona both improve to 1-1 after Game 2 wins

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-04-26T19:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-04-26T17:00:00.000Z)

After suffering a home upset on Wednesday, Barcelona will be desperate to bounce back at Palau Blaugrana against an Olympiacos team determined to move within one win of a third straight Final Four.

Preview Game 2: FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/315/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-facts-bar-oly/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-notes-bar-oly/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-prequotes-bar-oly/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-38/)

Barca's focus will be improved play inside the paint after converting just 18 of its 38 two-point attempts in the 75-77 defeat. [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) will be particularly keen to bounce back after enduring a miserable birthday, scoring just 3 points with no field goals converted and 3 turnovers. A collective focus will be better ball control after Barca committed 17 turnovers on Wednesday.

Olympiacos was able to enjoy its Game 1 triumph despite minimal contributions from key offensive performers [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) (0 points) and [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) (1), who should therefore be fresh and motivated to give their team more help on Friday.

The Reds will again count on the three-point shooting and energetic defense of [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/), and Barca needs its backcourt starters to step up after notably quiet games from [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) (9 points) and [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) (0 points) against the Reds' excellent defense.

[Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Willy Hernangomez vs. Moustapha Fall

Heavyweights collide as Barcelona and Olympiacos bid to further bolster their championship-credentials with two stellar defensive guards aiming to control the tempo as the host's Tomas Satoransky confronts the Reds' Thomas Walkup. Could this matchup prove pivotal come the final buzzer?

FC Barcelona-Olympiacos Piraeus | Playoffs Game 1 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Barcelona will look to bounce back against Reds in Game 2

Isaiah Canaan returned to Palau Blaugrana and starred, two and a half years on from his infamous moment at Palau Blaugrana.

Isaiah Canaan said he’d be back – and he delivered

It was back on December 22, 2021, when an [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) gesture would prove to be the springboard for an unlikely FC Barcelona comeback. After drilling one from deep to extend UNICS Kazan’s lead to 69-84 with 6 minutes left on the clock, the then-UNICS Kazan guard shushed the Palau Blaugrana crowd, who reacted with a chorus of whistles. Barcelona would go on to rally and send the game to overtime before overcoming UNICS 111-109 in one of the most entertaining duels of the 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

When that game was over, Canaan promised himself he’ll be back to exact some revenge – and that’s exactly what he did on Wednesday evening. In Game 1 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Playoffs, the 32-year-old inspired [Olympiacos Piraeus to a 75-77 victory at Palau Blaugrana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-downs-barcelona-on-the-road-in-game-1-75-77/).

“If you want to know something, at halftime my girl told me that they showed that clip from UNICS,” Canaan exclusively told [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net)’s Panos Kostopoulos after the game. “I was like, ‘Why would they show that?’ But I remember that moment and every time I would look at the crowd tonight, they reminded me of that, and I just used that as motivation. I told them I’d be back; that game with UNICS, I didn’t let it hurt me. I said I’d be back, I don’t know when, but I’d be back. It just felt good to get a win tonight.”

Isaiah Canaan opted to shush the FC Barcelona crowd as UNICS Kazan went 69-84 up with six minutes to go, only for the Spanish side to mount a comeback and win in overtime.

Canaan's shush moment vs. Barca at Palau Blaugrana

Canaan finished Wednesday’s game on 14 points, more than any Barca player, while hitting 3 big triples as he essentially silenced the crowd again. In fact, this was the first time in his career in Piraeus that the Olympiacos guard had led the team in minutes, staying on the floor for 31:25 despite having to leave the game early after a crunching screen from Barca's Jan Vesely dropped Canaan to the floor for a full minute in the first quarter. 

“It’s all fun,” he continued. “I use those types of things as motivation, and everybody knows I love playing in crazy crowds. When the crowd is against me it’s all fun, it's all part of the game. It always feels good to be on the floor. I love the game of basketball and I just love competing at the highest level and big games. Anytime I’m on the floor, it means a lot and I prepare myself for those moments.”

Isaiah Canaan had 14 points as Olympiacos Piraeus beat FC Barcelona in Game 1 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

Canaan's highlights vs. Barcelona

### Williams-Goss made up for Walkup’s foul trouble

With 7:12 remaining in the third quarter, [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) picked up his third foul and that was quickly followed by a technical. With his main playmaker in foul trouble, head coach Georgios Bartzokas called the number of [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/), who stepped up and ended the contest with a game-high 15 points.

“That’s why you have a deep roster in times like this because you never know who you’re gonna count on,” Williams-Goss explained to [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net). “It’s a tough place to play. Obviously they’ve got great fans here and they’re a very experienced team. We knew Game 1 was going to be super difficult, but we were up for the challenge and now we’ve just got to get ready for Game 2.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟭 ☑️ 🔴⚪ | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAROLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAROLY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/V8O8RIOPnj">pic.twitter.com/V8O8RIOPnj</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1783275501613695283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Olympiacos now has an early advantage in the series, with Game 2 taking place at Palau Blaugrana on Friday night. Canaan certainly has the experience to know that this is just the first in Olympiacos’s bid to clinch Final Four qualification for the third season in a row.

“It’s just Game 1,” Canaan added. “We’re very fortunate and thankful to get a win in Game 1, but we know that the games that are coming are even more important. We just have to regroup tomorrow at practice, watch film, get some rest, take care of our bodies and get ready for another test on Friday. But like I said, you can never take away from winning. To get a win against a good team with a good home \[fan\] base feels good.”

Game 2 tips off on Friday, April 26, at 21:00 CEST and Canaan will have another opportunity to do what he enjoys most: silence a fervent home crowd.

Olympiacos Piraeus's Isaiah Canaan celebrates during his team's Game 1 win at FC Barcelona of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

The Olympiacos guard returned to the scene of an infamous incident, but this time won the game

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-04-24T19:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and his forward Nigel Hayes-Davis are well aware of what their team’s 91-95 overtime road victory at AS Monaco on Wednesday could mean for the rest of the series. But that was not their focus after the game. 

Triumphant Fenerbahce already focused on Game 2

There are many facts and numbers that show how important winning Game 1 is in the EuroLeague Playoffs. And even more that shed light on what it means for road teams to open playoff series with victories.

Presumably, students of the game like Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and his forward Nigel Hayes-Davis are well aware of what their team’s 91-95 overtime road victory at AS Monaco on Wednesday could mean for the rest of the series. But that was not their focus after the game.

The celebrations were quite muted. Instead, the Fenerbahce folks were all business and looking ahead to Friday night’s Game 2.

In just the second sentence at his post-game press conference, Barcelona’s head coach was looking ahead.

“We can do a lot of things better. And hopefully, we can do that. But right now, the most important thing is to recover our bodies,” said Sarunas Jasikevicius. “We need to understand where we make mistakes. We also need to understand where we make a lot of great things. Just getting into our game and moving the ball because Monaco is a very difficult team to play against with their defensive schemes and pressure.”

Saras is seeking the fifth Final Four appearance of his coaching career. In his first, in 2018, his Zalgiris Kaunas side stunned higher-ranked Olympiacos Piraeus in Game 1 to claim the home-court advantage and then won Games 3 and 4 at home. In his first season on the FC Barcelona bench, his team lost Game 1 at home before winning the next 2 and taking the series in Game 5 at home.

Perhaps because of those experiences, he just wants to keep Fenerbahce focused. One player he knows he can lean on is Nigel Hayes-Davis. Not only did he lead Fenerbahce with 19 points, but the forward played for Saras at both Zalgiris and Barcelona.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward Nigel Hayes-Davis gives his take on a Game 1 road win over AS Monaco in the EuroLeague Playoffs.

Nigel Hayes-Davis: 'We've got a lot to learn from'

“It’s a great way to start the playoffs, we won the game,” Hayes-Davis deadpanned before bringing up the negatives. “But we almost lost it. We didn’t finish the game from the free-throw line. We gave up too many offensive rebounds. We made 10+ silly stupid fouls when they were in the bonus, and they were knocking down free throws. So, we have a lot to learn from and make sure we don’t repeat those mistakes on Friday.”

In a follow-up question, Hayes-Davis addressed the excitement of the game and the extra session, but even so, finished his answer with an eye on Game 2.

“Overtime games are great. Free basketball for the fans. The first minute or two really decides the overtime,” he said. “We needed to make a stop and hit some shots and we were able to do that and get ahead. Once you get ahead in overtime, the other team usually starts trying to force the comeback.

“And then from there ideally you can usually ice the game from the free-throw line. But we didn’t do that either. We need to make those corrections and learn for Friday.”

While Fenerbahce may choose to look at the negatives, there were plenty of positives. The visitors outrebounded Monaco 30-41. They shot very well from outside, making 14 of 30 three-pointers (46.7%). And on defense held Monaco below its usual shooting averages.

And if Saras’s men can repeat those feats on Friday while improving on everything else that the coach and his star forward mentioned after the game, they could be well on their way to a trip to Berlin for the 2024 Final Four.

The celebrations after winning the series opener in Monaco were muted for Fenerbahce as it started thinking about Game 2 almost immediately 

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-04-24T17:00:00.000Z)

Barca's focus will be improved play inside the paint after converting just 18 of its 38 two-point attempts in the 75-77 defeat. [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) will be particularly keen to bounce back after enduring a miserable birthday, scoring just 3 points with no field goals converted and 3 turnovers. A collective focus will be better ball control after Barca committed 17 turnovers on Wednesday.

Olympiacos was able to enjoy its Game 1 triumph despite minimal contributions from key offensive performers [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) (0 points) and [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) (1), who should therefore be fresh and motivated to give their team more help on Friday.

### FC Barcelona

**Streaks**

Nicolas Laprovittola has made at least 1 three-point shot in 11 straight games.

Willy Hernangomez has double-digit PIRs in nine straight and 15 of his last 16 games.

Hernangomez has pulled down 5 or more rebounds in four of his last five games.

Alex Abrines has made at least 1 three-point shot in six of his last seven games.

Jabari Parker has made at least 1 three-point shot in four of his last five games.

**Season rankings**

Nicolas Laprovittola ranks 10th in assists with 4.9 per game.

Laprovittola ranks eighth in average three-pointers made with 2.4 per game.

Barcelona ranks third in assists with 19.4 per game.

Barcelona has allowed 53.4% two-point shooting, the third-lowest in the league.

**Records/Milestones**

Tomas Satoransky ranks second all-time with a 2.8-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

Jan Vesely is the all-time leader in two-pointers made with 1,470.

Vesely ranks third all-time with 620 offensive rebounds. Felipe Reyes is second with 705.

Vesely ranks fourth all-time with 1,679 rebounds. Felipe Reyes is third with 1,799.

Vesely ranks eighth all-time with 204 blocks. Georgios Papagiannis of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is seventh with 208 and counting.

Vesely is sixth all-time with 3,790 points scored. Sergio Llull of Real Madrid is fifth with 3,915 and counting.

Vesely ranks second all-time with 4,814 index rating points. Nando De Colo of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is the all-time leader with 5,054 and counting.

Vesely ranks fourth all-time with 337 steals. Rudy Fernandez of Real Madrid is third with 364 steals and counting.

Vesely ranks eighth all-time with 757 free throws made. Nikola Mirotic of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan is seventh with 834.

Nikola Kalinic needs 12 points to reach 2,500 for his career.

Kalinic needs 5 rebounds to reach 1,000 for his career.

### Olympiacos Piraeus

**Streaks**

Isaiah Canaan has made at least 1 three-point shot in eight straight games.

Canaan has at least 1 steal in seven of his last eight games.

Thomas Walkup has at least 1 steal in nine of his last 10 games.

Moustapha Fall has double-digit PIRs in nine straight games.

Nigel Williams-Goss has made at least 1 three-point shot in six of his last seven games.

**Season rankings**

Nikola Milutinov ranks second in offensive rebounding with 2.5 per game.

Thomas Walkup ranks third in steals with 1.5 per game.

Moustapha Fall ranks third in blocks with 1.3 per game.

Isaiah Canaan ranks sixth in average three-pointers made with 2.5 per game.

Alec Peters ranks second in three-point shooting at 50.8%.

Olympiacos has committed the third-fewest turnovers with 11.6 per game.

Olympiacos has allowed a league-low 75.0 points per game.

Olympiacos allows 9.7 offensive rebounds per game, the third-fewest in the league.

Olympiacos has held opponents to 52.3% two-point shooting, second lowest in the league.

**Records/Milestones**

Kostas Papanikolaou is the all-time leader in games started with 306.

Papanikolaou is in ninth place all-time with 300 steals. Sergio Rodriguez of Real Madrid is eighth with 306 and counting.

Moustapha Fall ranks second all-time in two-point accuracy at 72.7%.

Thomas Walkup ranks 16th all-time with a 2.5-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

Alec Peters ranks 13th all-time in free-throw shooting at 89.1%.

Peters ranks eighth all-time in three-point accuracy at 44.7%.

Nikola Milutinov is ranked seventh all-time with 564 offensive rebounds. Walter Tavares of Real Madrid is sixth with 599.

Walkup ranks 17th all-time in assists with 878. Nikos Zisis is 16th with 885 assists.

Game Facts: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

AS Monaco and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul go head-to-head for the second time with the Turkish team in control of the series after a thrilling 91-95 overtime triumph on Wednesday.

Monaco aims to even series with Fenerbahce

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/316/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-facts-mco-ulk/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-game-notes-mco-ulk/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g2-prequotes-mco-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Predictions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-predictions-monaco-vs-fenerbahce)

As so often this season, [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) was the architect of that success, combining 19 points with 7 rebounds in nearly 40 minutes on the floor. A more surprising star was [Nate Sestina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nathan-sestina/011980/), who hit 4 of his 5 three-point attempts to help Fener enjoy its usual excellence from beyond the arc, making 14 of 30 shots from deep.

Improved perimeter defense will be a priority for Monaco, which will also look for greater accuracy from its own deep game after going just 8-for-27 in Game 1. In particular, backcourt stars [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (1-for-6) and [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) (2-for-8) need to be more effective.

Two days after an overtime battle, fatigue could be a factor, so there might be important roles for some players who had fewer minutes on Wednesday. That includes Monaco's guard [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) and big man [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/), who both had foul trouble, and visiting big men [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) and [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/), who both played less than 10 minutes in the series opener.

[Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Elie Okobo vs. Nick Calathes: Monaco's ace scorer and Fenerbahce's ace defender will be central to Game 2's result on Friday.

A key aspect of this game could be control. Monaco has committed the fewest number of turnovers in the league (10.0 pg), contributing to a defense that's allowed just 79.4 ppg , yet Fenerbahce's efficiency offense ranks first in three-point shooting percentage (39.1%) and third in two-pointers (56.4%).