betprepare.com

Laboral have to play fast today

Perasović is aware that it will be hard to play Olympiacos in a match with low numbers, but he's got players who can give the Greeks a hard time with their fastbreaks

Velimir Perasović is slowly making his team into what he always wanted them to be. Firm and aggressive defense and fast offense are getting better with each game, and Laboral could turn into a really serious team now that Shengelia is back. Today's match will reveal a lot because Olympiacos are a big test for anyone, and if you can force your game against them, you know you're worth your salt:

- Olympiacos are assembled to win the Euroleague, but my team are ready and really want this win. They've got a clever backcourt, good wing centers and strong and movable centers - Perasović said nothing new.

But, the same applies to Laboral. Bourousis proved to be a great asset under the hoop, and is the best story of the preseason transfers so far. Perasović gained experience, rebounds and great offensive game through one of the best European centers of the last decade. He'll have a big role to play today, as well, especially because he'll face his old team.

- Olympiacos are one of the most movable teams in Europe. Their game is very firm, and we have to get used to that. I hope we'll have enough support from our fans because that means a lot - Bourousis said.

No doubt about that. The arena will be stacked today, everyone knows how much the fans like to watch Olympiacos.

Laboral will definitely try to play fast because they know there aren't many teams that stand a chance against Olympiacos if they try to end up with low numbers. It was exactly their speed and fastbreaks that gave Olympiacos a hard time in the past seasons, and they'll very likely insist on that today.

It's not even the end of October yet, and Olympiacos already got beaten twice by their old rival. After the Cup, Panathinaikos beat them in the championship match, as well, confirming their better form at the beginning of the season. Oly looked better in the first period alone, where Spanoulis lead his co-players in a great way. They scored 5 three-pointers in the first seven minutes, but as the time went on, Olympiacos were losing control over the opponent's defense. They had 18 turnovers in the end, and many of those helped Panathinaikos score easy points, making them crucial for the final result.

Olympiacos could hardly hope to get a good result when the best two of their players played like they did. Spanoulis and Printezis scored 7/23 from the floor total, Spanoulis fixed the impression a bit with 10 assists, even though 6-7 of those took place in the first period.

- That match is in the past, we can't look back, we have to look forward - Sferopoulos said. He declined to take part in the press conference after the derby because of the Đorđević-Tomić conflict. 

Olympiacos started the Euroleague successfully, beating Cedevita on Crete, thanks to the defense working great in the second half-time. Considering their opponent, the defense will matter even more today.

- We have to be focused on our plan, we'll play against a team who like to play fast, and on open court. We'll try to force our rhythm - Sferopoulos announced.

Olympiacos struggled against Laboral in the previous seasons, losing away matches in Vitoria, struggling at home. It won't be easy today, either. Sferopoulos knows how dangerous the Spaniards can be if you let them play their game.

- We have to be ready and focused, play the kind of basketball we want to play. The key is being focused for the entire 40 minutes. If we lose focus for only 2-3 minutes, they're able to score 15 points. Even if we take the lead, they won't give up, they showed that in Milano, and we can't allow them to score series like those - Sferopoulos explained. Only Hunter is questionable from his lineup.

Hunter will be needed for Olympiacos to control the rebounds, and the game rhythm accordingly. The rebounds could be the key. If Olympiacos win that segment, and force themselves with their defense, they'll be right on their way to the win.

It's always a good idea to take this margin in Oly games. Their basketball is traditionally slow, based on long attacks and tough defense this season as well. They went over this margin with Laboral only once in give games over the past two seasons. Laboral were a much faster-paced team before Peravoci took over. Defense will be in the focus today. Laboral have what it takes to stand up to Oly physically, which can make this a close game. They can limit the visitors to well under 80 points. In any case, I think this is a great opportunity.