Written on 29 December 2023. Posted in Games.

Farewell to 2023 Euroleague with a road win

Olympiacos closed their Euroleague games for 2023 in the best possible fahsion. They 'routed' Alba in Berlin 67-94, for the the 17th round.

Relying on great perimeter shooting (5/8 threes for 2/9 of the 'red & whites'), the hosts closed the first quarter at +6 (25-19). The pressing defense of the Germans created yet a bigger offensive problem for Olympiacos, that was trailing by 11 at 14' (34-23). Good defensive game (especially in the paint by Nikola Milutinov) and Nigel Williams-Goss executing effectively in the offense, the 'red & whites' reacted and closed in to one point (40-39). With one more three, this time by Spagnolo, Alba got a 4p. 'breather' (43-39), while the 43-40 score that marked the end of the first half was 'written' by Alec Peters who made good on one of his two free throws.

The 3rd quarter though was an entirely different story. Olympiacos put sufficient pressure in the back court, 'struck' in every way possible in offense (from the long range and also in the transition) and not only turned the tables, but built a +16 margin (51-67) at 30'. The big protagonists of that period were Alec Peters and Moustapha Fall. Alba made a last effort to get back in the game (59-73), but Bartzokas' players left them no room for that. They stepped on the gas pedal and with multifaceted scoring raised the difference to 29p. (65-94), 24'' before the end (with a three by Shaquielle McKissic).

Before the beginning of the game, Alba honored Luke Sikma for his time with the Geman team.
The quarters: 25-19, 43-40, 51-67, 67-94.

ALBA