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Real 'cementing' their defense

A team full of offensive potential that still primarily depend on their defense to enable transition. Real have been dominating their opponents through defense in their past six games and will probably do the same today

Three weeks ago we mentioned that the Belgrade game might be a turning point of the season for Real. It seems we were right so far, as the game against Zvezda turned Real from a team with an up-and-down trend back into the machine that crushed all opposition last year. Six wins in a row, seasoned with great defense, brought a smile even to the proverbially severe face of coach Laso:

- We were brilliant on defense, which is how I want us to play every game. I'm very pleased with what I saw today.

Real have indeed improved their game on defense, and not too soon. Their abundance of offensive potential could not be of use when defense was leaking all over the place. That also lost them transition, Real's strongest weapon. Today defense will once again be crucial, as they're facing a greatly respected opponent:

- The match with Panathinaikos is an Euroleague classic. They have great players led by legendary Diamantidis. Their forwards Gist and Fotsis are dangerous and great shooters, but they have great shooters on the perimeter as well with Slaughter and Blums. Batista can always cause trouble in the paint, which makes them a complete team.

 Real will probably be missing Maciulis again, although he is back in training they probably won't risk him in a competitive match. After all, their roster hardly depends on one player, let alone Maciulis.

Today we can expect Real to further improve, as their defense should prove to be too high of an obstacle for PAO. The key difference for Real should be in the paint, and one should look out for Real's legendary Reyes, who is still their top shooter and rebounds collector even at veteran age. Today he will get the chance to cross the magical margin of 2000 points in the Euroleague, which is just 12 points away for him. 

Panathinaikos went through their first three round as expected. Although they had their chances, it was hard to expect a victory at Blaugrana, but they lived up to their favorites status in home matches, where they beat Maccabi and Žalgiris, and can now face the tough away match in Madrid with more calm.

- Real Madrid are among the contenders for the Final Four, a very strong team with the advantage of most of their team being together for several years. Transitional game and offensive rebounds are their major weapons, we have to be ready for a tough game- said Ivanović prior to the match.

Panathinaikos played their last match on Monday, in another tough test in the Greek league. Apolloon held a 49-37 lead after the first 20 minutes, taking advantage of serious problems Panathinaikos had on defense (30 points conceded in the second quarter). The second half was a different story however, as Panathinaikos charged out of the gates and managed to turn the match around, conceding only 22 points in the second half.

- This was a very hard match, as Apollon started strong and shot well for three points. We played better defense in the second half and managed to impose a rhythm that got us a victory-  said Ivanović.

Panathinaikos cannot afford such drops in their game in Madrid. As hard as it is playing away against one of the title contenders in the European league, Panathinaikos are also struggling with injuries. apart from Mavrokefalidis and Bochoridis who are already injured, they will now be missing Janković (did not play against Apollon) and Pappas, who injured himself in the match on Monday. Diamantidis also had some minor problems but will be ready to play.

Panathinaikos are clearly facing a very tough match, as they've lost five games in a row prior to the tough victory against Apollon. They'll have to impose a slower tempo once again, play perfect defense, and try to reduce Real to as low a score as possible, which is feat few have achieved in this arena.

- We'll be facing a great team, one of the top contenders to win the Euroleague this season, and we know this will be a tough game. We have some injury issues, but we have to believe in ourselves and keep fighting for the full 40 minutes- said A.J.Slaughter.

This is a one way match in my opinion. Everyone was waiting for Real to put their roster back in shape, and no wonder since almost everyone was at the WC with their national teams and it took a while to get back in form. The Belgrade game in which they demolished Zvezda was the turning point, they've been playing great defense ever since and are demolishing all opposition. They easily covered this handicap in 7 of their last 9 home games, and only Uniks and Laboral excaped a blowout. I don't see how PAO can join them as they lack both quality and physical power to stand up to Real in Madrid. Panathinaikos also play much worse away than at home, and have already been demolished twice against PAOK and Fener, both decidedly weaker than Real. Everything depends on the home team today, and this could easily go to +20.