Panathinaikos Actor: An impressive +16 for the hot Nan, the starting five, and Juancho’s role in defence

the Panathinaikos Actor He showed his teeth in Game 4 of its finals Stoiximan Basketball League against the Olympic. The Greens were clearly superior. They won 85-88 It tied the series and sent it to Game 5 at OAKA.

the Sport24 Analyzes with the help of Hudl Instat the victory of the “Greens”.

An outrageously productive place that gave Panathinaikos AKTOR an advantage

Given the previous days and the pressure of Game 4, you would expect teams to be silent, at least early in the game. It turns out that they presented the world with the most productive first part of the series.

Both teams read everything the opposing defense gave them. Olympiacos looked for Milutinov at first, then hit the ball with pick-and-rolls to get free shots. Panathinaikos Aktor responded by tagging the Serb in Pick and Roll, but also passing when needed to Lesor.

The score got away, and it went up. Halftime found Olympiacos leading 51-44 after Grant cut the lead with a crazy 3-pointer from downtown. Everything looked good for the Reds and Whites. But there was one detail: Olympiacos advanced thanks to its attack, not its defence. But this season, he’s been built to win games with his defense. On the contrary, Panathinaikos Aktor is an aggressive team that also plays in defence. If the match continues at the same pace, the team’s profile throughout the season suggests that the upper hand will gradually go to the “Greens”, unless Olympiacos makes frequent overtakes in attack.

The five main and specific role of Huazhou

The second half found Ergin Ataman starting Juancho Hernangomet up front. After 2.5 minutes, with the score at 54-46, Kendrick Nunn went to the floor for Ioannis Papapetrou. The Greens played their cards early with the presence of their three goalkeepers (Slokas, Grant, and Noon) on the field. They will be acquitted immediately.

The simultaneous presence of three guards who can create their own shot (but can also shoot in Spot Up situations) is one of the “Greens'” weapons. The reason is that it is almost impossible for Panathinaikos Aktor’s opponents to have three elite defensive players on the ground at the same time. Still at least someone downshifted.

The Greens have been batting there all season and they batted there yesterday too, giving the ball to their three players in rotation. According to Hudl Instat, Panathinaikos Aktor scored 21 points on 18 possessions in which his three guards were present (1.16 points per possession), an elite number that made the difference. While all this was happening, the difference was actually made by the ‘Greens’ defence, where Juancho Hernangomet played an important role.

The Spaniard is the man who linked the defense to the ‘clover’. The method of providing assistance must be taught, whether from the strong or the weak side. Of course, it is not certain that even if someone tried to teach it that he would succeed. Hernangomet’s combination of defensive IQ, length and athleticism is not easy to find. This has been seen on many occasions. But there was one stage that demonstrated this to the absolute extent. Here is the example:

Walkup plays Pick and Roll with Milutinov. Hernangometh, who tags Papanikolaou, has already closed the interior to prevent a possible drive, but at the same time he is very close to Papanikolaou.

Walkup sees Hernangometh closing down space. But he also sees Grant on the bat, so he passes to Williams-Goss on the weak side.

Williams-Goss sees Grant approaching him and prepares to drive to the basket. Hernangomet sees this and prepares for the rescue.

Williams-Goss is under the basket, but Hernangometh is there waiting for him. The Spaniard blocks the American’s layup and a potential pass to Papanikolaou in the corner.

Williams Goss fires under pressure from the landlord. Hernangomet is still in a good position, cutting off a potential pass to Papanilau, but at the same time he is very close to Milutinov.

A lot can be said about this stage. One could argue that Williams-Goss could have passed to Papanikolaou earlier, or instead of shooting he passed to Milutinov. That there was time. This is all good in theory. But when the defense is as aggressive as the ‘Greens’ and closes down spaces so quickly thanks to Hernangomith (and also Grant), it’s not as simple as it seems.

Amazing Nan +16 and marrying Grant

At the end of the day, of course, the game was decided for another reason: Panathinaikos had Aktor Kendrick Nunn (25 points and 4 assists, which gave another 9 points, but also an obscene +16 in a +/- system in a game decided by 3 points) and Olympiacos.. He didn’t have Kendrick Nunn. In a match where bodies were falling, and where every basket was covered in blood, it was the American who took the “Greens” out of his hand, and by scoring one big basket after another in the second half, he led his team safely.

American personal baskets are what was seen. But in reality, it was his Spot Up three-pointers that showcased his versatile talent and the problem with Olympiacos’ defense. Throughout the series, the ‘Reds and Whites’ see Panathinaikos Aktor outperforming – obviously not 100% – Milutinov in Pick and Roll, but also spreading him with Lesueur. For Berrios to play flat or drop in Pick and Roll (giving the shot) is prohibited because the “green” guards shoot well off the dribble. This made them decide to go for changes. But Panathinaikos Aktor’s guards have no problem with this.

“Clover” found open lanes again. With Milutinov on the perimeter, there is no one to protect the basket. This usually meant a corner kick for Panathinaikos Aktor, with the ‘Greens’ scoring 40 points on the ‘drawing board’. If Olympiacos makes a defensive turn to close his racket, eventually the regional player may find himself alone in the area. In Game 4 that was Nan. The American made three crucial three-pointers with Spot Up, when his player rushed in to help either while driving or hitting the post by Lessor. And changed the facts.

However, in all this, Grant could not go unnoticed (15 points on 5/7 shooting and 4 assists, which gave another 8 points). The American goalkeeper complemented Noone perfectly. He hit the right shots. According to Hudl Instat, the Greens were +8 in a +/- system when the two coexisted.

Panathinaikos Aktor has the upper hand, and Olympiacos has one last chance

Panathinaikos AKTOR clearly has the upper hand now in this series. Coming back from 0-2 and the fact that Game 5 is in OAKA is enough of that. But at the same time, it is the picture of the two teams that shows how the facts have changed.

Panathinaikos Actor now seems to have adapted to the Olympiacos defence. Nan has found a rhythm, and reads situations better. The comfort with which he has made the ‘red and white’ changes in the last two matches shows that. Meanwhile, the lessor is still hurting Piraeus under the basket. “Clover” has two reference points. And all of this is without mentioning Sloka and Grant, who once again delivered things.

On the other hand, Olympiacos looks mentally and physically tired at the moment. He was hurt by Val’s absence on both ends of the floor. He lost his personality in attack and his size in defense. Milutinov is very clear that he is not 100% in terms of fitness. He’s good as long as he’s strong, but over time, he gets tired. The Serbian seems unable to deploy opponents high in attack and becomes a target in defence.

At the same time, the fact that Panathinaikos Aktor has turned his attention to Williams-Goss has thrown the Red and Whites’ attack out of rhythm. In the last two games, Olympiacos has only had flashes, either thanks to some personal baskets by Kanan, or due to his engagements with his goalkeepers, creating an imbalance. But this plan cannot be followed for 40 minutes. Olympiacos’ attack depends on fluidity and good ball circulation, and this is something we did not see in the last two matches.

Tomorrow’s fifth match (6/14) between the two teams (21:15, ERT3 and live from SPORT24) finds Panathinaikos Aktor the favorite. But Olympiacos will not give up easily. Moreover, this year he has achieved two victories in Owaka. The fifth match of the series will be the twelfth derby of the year. It will also be the 82nd match for both this season in all competitions, in a grueling schedule. A 9 month marathon will be over.