Match Preview
Lefkadas returned to the top flight after nine years, with their last head-to-head clash against PAOK coming in January 2017, when they lost 84-67 in Thessaloniki. They are massive underdogs going into Saturday’s encounter.
PAOK Making a Strong Start to the Season
PAOK have made a strong start to the new basketball season, claiming four victories in their five appearances across competitions.
They pulled off an upset against Panathinaikos in the Greek Super Cup semifinals, beating the Athens side 84-82 thanks to game-winning shots from Cedi Osman, who scored 18 points and dished out six assists. However, they then lost the final to Olympiakos 101-96.
The Double-Headed Eagles started their EuroCup campaign with back-to-back victories, outclassing Manresa 93-78 at home in late September before edging out KK Bosna 75-72 in Sarajevo earlier this week.
Lefkadas Facing a Tough Return to the Top Flight
Lefkadas returned to the Greek top flight after winning the Elite Division, the second-tier league, last season, finishing strongly with 23 wins in 28 rounds.
Their performance last weekend was not particularly impressive, as they suffered a convincing 91-75 road loss against Kolossos Rhodes. They also struggled from the free-throw line, converting just nine of 16 attempts.
De Vion Harmon was Lefkadas’ top scorer in that encounter, finishing with 21 points on 10/17 field-goal shooting, while Josh Sharma recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.