The playoffs is only a few days away and it is the perfect opportunity to take a closer look into each match up. Two of the eight teams competing for a spot in the Euroleague Final Four 2011 are Olympiacos Piraeus and Montepaschi Siena. These two are among the strongest and most competitive teams in the league for the past decade. Olympiacos, for instance, entered the Final Four last season to make it three consecutive times that they reached that stage. Meanwhile, Montepaschi Siena is looking to make its fourth Euroleague Final Four appearance since the 2003 season.
Both teams are no doubt of championship caliber but it would be difficult to assess which one has the better shot knowing that they’ve only faced each other twice before. And in both of those games, Montepaschi Siena has won over Olympiacos Piraeus during their regular season match up for the 2007-2008 season. But it is an entirely different stage now as both teams had survived a tough Top 16 round despite missing key players in their lineup. Olympiacos Piraeus missed center Ioannis Bourousis for the last two games in the Top 16, while Montepaschi Siena had to survive the Top 16 without lead point guard Bo McCalebb on the bench after suffering from a foot injury that required surgery before this round even started. Despite being early favorites to make it to the Euroleague Final Four 2011 due to a blazing start, some critics (and even fans) doubted if they could do that without McCalebb in the roster.
Montepaschi Siena and Olympiacos Piraeus each sport a unique style of play. The Italian champs are best known for their tough defense, wherein they allow their opponents to score only about 67.8 points per game – the second lowest in the league. On the other hand, Olympiacos Piraeus is a purely offensive team that capitalizes on the talent it has on the roster as they average third in the league for the most points scored per game, which is at 79.1 points. It will surely be a battle between offense and defense in the bid for a Euroleague Final Four 2011 slot.
For both teams, other players need to step up as there will surely be a lot of focus on the main players. Olympiacos Piraeus guard Yotam Halperin is one who has enough experience when it comes to competing in the Euroleague Final Four. Hence, the team could utilize his massive winning experience to add a third into his Euroleague championship title. He currently plays the role of a reserve for the team but it is amazing how he delivers instant offense once he is tapped on the floor. Meanwhile, his experience is an invaluable tool hat could also give his team crucial advantage in this playoffs match up.
Montepaschi Siena will also have a secret weapon in veteran guard Marco Carraretto. His importance to the team is not reflected on the numbers although it is not to be denied that Carraretto possesses amazing three-point shooting ability, tough defense, and an invaluable experience that could be put to good use in the team’s bid for the Euroleague Final Four 2011. But there is no bigger motivation for Marco Carraretto to win this series and reach the Final Four than the fact that this 33-year old guard might be looking at one of few shots left to enter the Euroleague Finals and win another championship title.
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