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The pressure is mounting for Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos have lost three Euroleague games in a row and a defeat today would be a huge handicap in their attempt to pass this group. On the other hand, Oly are in great form and want to end their poor run in head-to-head games against Panathinaikos

The biggest Greek derby always attracts attention when the Euroleague stage is in question, the importance grows. Panathinaikos have dominated recent games between these two teams, leaving the fixtures in low figures and we know that is their favorite domain. The story might be a bit different today as Panathinaikos are under a lot of pressure, considering they've lost last three Euroleague games and today's game is very important for them.

- It's true we are not in a good run in Europe and we have to start winning as soon as possible if we want to achieve big things this season. We've had some injury problems recently and it has cost us - said the shooting guard Curry

The injury problems refer primarily to James Gist who's been out for the past 10 days and Panathinaikos are just not the same team without him. Both offense and defense are suffering and that's why the best piece of news is that Gist should be in the team today.

- Gist had his first real training yesterday and he should play, at least that's what the doctors said. We will see how ready he is, there is no better test than Olympiacos - said coach Pedoulakis.

As far as he goes, every game is the same. Insisting on slow game and fanatic defense against which opponent must not score over 70 points at all costs. In recent seasons, this has been very successful against Olympiacos and it's quite expected that they won't change the recipe.

- Of course that the team who imposes their temp will win We will try to make it a slower game and not to go charging against them. If defense stays at the right level, I believe we have a great chance.

The key of Panathinaikos's wins in the derbies was defense on Spanoulis. Since PAO have great, powerful centers in Gist and Lasme, they handled Spanoulis with ease and he could not use his penetration against them. Without Spanoulis, Olympiacos's game is almost non-existent and the cause for the defeats lies there. An important fact for Olympiacos's game today could be that Mardy Collins, the point guard who was brought mid-season as a substitute for Law, has finally found his place in coach Bartzokas's ideas for the team and this could help relieve some pressure off Spanoulis and connect Olympiacos's attack.

It was felt in last few games and while Panathinaikos have had three consecutive defeats in the Euroleague, Oly have been a complete opposite. They got three very convicning wins and are awaiting the derby completely relaxed and in great for. Kostas Sloukas has confirmed that:

- We are in a pretty good position and this is not a "do-or-die" game for us. Panathinaikos are in a much more difficult situation and they are definitely under pressure. 

Even though Oly got the short end of the stick in recent head-to-heads, there is no reason for that to be the case today. They are on a similar level in terms of players, if not even above Panathinaikos, but they just failed to impose their rhythm. This means strong defense, domination in rebounds followed by fast transition. Panathinaikos have so far taken that away from them but Olympiacos seem to know what they are to do.

- There is no reason to change anything in our game. We have to play our basketball and I believe we can beat them then. If we stand strong in defense and on the rebounds, they will be in trouble - said center Simmons assuredly. 

He and Dunston have managed to close down Olympiacos's paint lately and this could be a huge advantage for them as Panathinaikos have no center that could match this duo, except for Lasme. Coach Bartzokas says a lot has changed since last two defeats against the "greens". 

- We didn't have Petway at our disposal then and he's a very important player for us. Apart from that, our rebound was very poor in the first game and it is supposed to be our advantage. In the second game, we did a poor job reading their defense but we came very close on both occasions nevertheless. If we just improve these things a bit, I believe we will be closer to winning this game.

Today's match will  be the eighth Euroleague game between these two teams. Olympiacos have five wins but Panathinaikos have won last two games. PAO will be under a lot of pressure as, apart from the run of three defeats, they certainly can't allow themselves to lose against their biggest rivals at home. Oly are completely calm, they're in great form and I feel they are pretty underestimated in this match. 

I definitely can't agree with the fact that the bookmakers have put Panathinaikos as the favorites here. This is at least a 50-50 game, while I think Olympiacos have a slight advantage here. Everyone is probably looking at last few head-to-heads in which Panathinaikos usually won, plus they have the home court advantage. However, I see things differently here. Panathinaikos should be under a lot of pressure as they have a bad run in the Euroleague and the defeat could come very costly, plus, a home defeat against Olympiacos would be a tragedy. Olympiacos are in the best form of their season, they've beaten their opponents in last 3 Euroleague games by 18 points or more, their defense is great, and they are not under any kind f pressure here. It is a well-known fact that Olympiacos have been brilliant under pressure in all important games in last two years, and they are especially good when they are regarded as the outsiders. Coach Bartzokas learned his lesson from the two defeats against Panathinaikos this season and he knows what he has to insist on. Olympiacos have more firepower than the hosts, who are expected to play a one-dimensional game and base everything on defense. Gist is expected to play but it's hard to expect him in top form after a two-week break, and he was the crucial player in Panathinaikos's recent derby wins. If Oly dominate the rebound today, which they should be able to do, then Panathinaikos wil have many problems and I don't see how they could beat their opponents only through defense, opponents who are in much better form and should be regarded as the favorites here.