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Alexander in his debut for Maccabi, Goodes struggling with injuries

The injury list contains Landesberg, their best player recently, as well as Tyus, Schortsanitis, and important Smith, who is the biggest issue

Panathinaikos' roster went through some reconstruction and they enter this season with lower ambitions that earlier. Top 16 is the main target, but the great performances they had in the first weeks and securing the second stage with three rounds yet to go confirmed that Pao are a team to respect once again. The team from Athens lost the last three games in the first stage, but it was of little consequence in the long run.

The second stage brought them a tough group with the best two Spanish teams (Real, Barcelona), but also a group where, competing with Žalgiris, Alba, Galatasaray, Zvezda, and even Maccabi, Panathinaikos can fight for one of the top four spots. Ivanović is experienced and knows the importance of home games, and as Maccabi are one of the main competitors, a good start against the defending champion of Europe would be a huge boost.


- Our first Top 16 game is very important, as we're playing at home and must defend the home court. Maccabi are the European champions, a strong and respected team, but we must be ready to play it tough and give it all we've got to win- said Ivanović.


- We're facing the European champions, and they have the same DNA they had the past years: good shooters, strong presence under the rim. They're playing well, so we have to do well on defense and try to distance them from the paint while at the same time taking care of their shooters- added Nelson.


Pao are entering this match after a defeat in the biggest Greek derby. The match in Piraeus was decided by details, as expected, but Olympiacos still deserved the win in front of their own fans. Regardless of that defeat, Panathinaikos are still in the same situation as their greatest rival, and will look for their chance to get the top position prior to the playoff in the home game that is yet to come.


A defeat against Olympiacos is not an easy pill to swallow, but a good Top 16 start would ease the pain. The only time Pao lost at home this season was the last match against Barcelona, while they beat all others easily, and the fan support will once again be their biggest asset.


- Maccabi are a very athletic team with good transition. They're also good at offensive rebounds, so we have to be careful there too. We must defend the home court, it's important for any team to win home games. The Maccabi game will be a test for us. We want to start the Top 16 well, with a victory- said Slaughter.


- The key thing is staying focused and keeping up the intensity. We need to control the pace of the game- said Esteban Batista.


Maccabi played very well in the first stage, losing only against the mighty CSKA, and in a shocking surprise against Cedevita at home. They won the other seven matches, against very good teams such as Alba and Limoges, and especially Unicaja. Although there were some options of calculating in the last match against Unicaja, they did not, and were rewarded by drawing Alba instead of a Spanish team in their group, which is much more favorable for them.


The Israeli team are coming to Athens with nine consecutive victories overall. Their last one in the national Cup quarterfinal, was a major struggle against Holon, whose resistance they only managed to crush in the final moments 
(73-71). Notable performances were by Landesberg with 19 points, Smith 13 and Pargo 12.


Compared to their last Euroleague match, Maccabi now have power forward Joe Alexander, who has some NBA experience too. He will be a major reinforcement for Maccabi in the rest of the season (substitute for Marić), and should have his debut today. However, their roster is less than great, as Landesberg, Smith, Tyus and Schortsanitis are all struggling with injuries. Their goal prior to the Athens match is clear: continue the positive series and establish a leading position in the group from the very start, but without the injured players this will be much harder.


- Our first game is against a team we have great respect for, Panathinaikos. They're very strong at home, where the fans drive the players forward. We want to start our Top 16 appearance with a win, so the game will be interesting, no doubt about it- said Goodes.


-Panathinaikos always have a strong team, they've got a team with many quality players who played in Europe and the NBA. They know how to win, have strong defense, and will try to win at home. We have to show focus and commitment- said Randle and continued:


-Our goal is to get to the Top 8 teams, and to get there we need to raise our standards and improve our game. As long as we're making progress and going forward, I'm happy. The Top 16 is a new experience for me, one needs extra energy and we have to focus on every opponent.


Maccabi are just 64 points away from scoring 25 000 points in the Euroleague, as the third team in history that achieved that (Kutxa, Barcelona), but in fewest games (this one is number 307). That is yet another proof that Maccabi always favored a faster paced game, which they will try to impose today, in the boiling atmosphere of the Athens match.