Olympiacos vs Zalgiris: After a disappointing loss to Barça, the Greeks will take on the Lithuanians

It’s bad enough when a once-great team reaches this point. It is even worse when there is no reason to say, “Well, give these guys time, and they will show themselves.” The time for most of the Lithuanian guys is long gone. Bring in the new ones.

The Greeks fought heroically in Catalonia on Wednesday and, in my opinion, would have won in regulation time had the referees not been so desperate for Barça. However, the overtime period ended, in which the visibly tired Olympiacos players, primarily Vesenkov, made too many mistakes. The final score was 79-78 in favour of Barcelona. Well, all the predictions came anyway, even in overtime.

Bartzokas’s charges expectedly failed to confirm their average efficiency in 40 minutes of game time in Barcelona. They’re now down to 72 points per game. The Greeks, on the other hand, concede ten fewer points, an average of 62. All Barcelona managed to score 67.

What does Olympiacos do better than Zalgiris? Just about everything, including rebounding (eight rebounds differential), steals (two), turnovers (minus three), and turnovers. They are also fouled more often.

The Lithuanians, predictably, couldn’t do anything against Red Star in Belgrade. Not only did they lose, but they scored only 61 points. Edgaras Ulanovas, who should be the team’s leader, finished with only one assist out of three games already played. Looking at the play of Kalnietis, Milaknis, and Jankunas, I wish these deserving athletes had finished their careers after the previous season. It’s pathetic.

Zalgiris are averaging 67 points per game, conceding 77. By a margin of fewer than six points, they haven’t lost yet. The minus-30 goal difference is not the worst in the Euroleague, but only the Basques are worse. And, unfortunately, the team from Kaunas is in last place.

I can believe anything. The Lithuanians will win again in Piraeus because the Greeks, for example, will mix up the match date. Well, they’ll think it’s tomorrow. One thing I can’t believe is that Zalgiris will score at least a decent amount of points. Here are my picks:

• Individual Total 2 Under 67.5 for 1.90;
• Each team will score more than 65.5 - no for 2.07;
• Total Under 149.5 for 1.76.