Olympiacos at Zalgiris
KAUNAS (Interstat) — Olympiacos will put its unbeaten start on the line Tuesday when it visits Zalgiris in a Euroleague matchup at Zalgiris Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Olympiacos enters at 2-0. Zalgiris is 5-0. The meeting brings together two teams that have yet to lose this season, though they have taken different paths to their perfect starts. Olympiacos has won its first two games, including a 106-89 victory at Baskonia in its most recent outing and a 92-90 home win over Fenerbahce. Zalgiris has played five games and won each, most recently a 108-83 victory at Alytaus Patriotai. The Lithuanian club also owns wins over Siauliai 101-82, Crvena Zvezda 83-77, Neptunas 93-69 and Gargzdu Gargzdai 98-77. Olympiacos has scored 198 points over its first two games and allowed 179. Zalgiris has scored 483 points over five games and allowed 388.
Donta Hall is a player to watch for Olympiacos. The forward delivered a double-double in his most recent appearance, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds in 20 minutes during the win over Fenerbahce. He also added one assist. Hall’s inside presence could be important against a Zalgiris team that has been productive on both ends during its unbeaten run.
Marek Blazevic is a player to watch for Zalgiris. The big man has been efficient in recent games, recording 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks against Siauliai. He scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in 21 minutes at Neptunas, and he added eight points, four rebounds, one assist and one block in 18 minutes at Gargzdu Gargzdai. Blazevic’s ability to score, rebound and pass from the post gives Zalgiris another option in the frontcourt.
Zalgiris will look to protect its home floor at Zalgiris Arena, where it has been strong during the early season. Olympiacos, meanwhile, will aim to remain perfect and secure a road result against one of the Euroleague’s early unbeatens. The visitors have shown the ability to win close games and pull away when needed, as their two victories have come by a combined 19 points. Zalgiris has won its five games by an average margin of 19 points, with its closest result a six-point win over Crvena Zvezda.
After Tuesday’s game, Olympiacos is scheduled to visit Virtus Bologna before traveling to Iraklis. Zalgiris is set to host Vilkaviskis and then visit Paris. Both teams will continue their Euroleague schedules as the season moves deeper into its early stretch.
Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Zalgiris 78, Olympiacos 73.