Did as expected...

Olympiacos bid farewell to 2023 with a win. Our team beat Aris at the SEF 85-71 for the 12th day of the Basket League.

With superb defense and good ball movement, Olympiacos got to lead by 12p. (15-3) at 7'. The 'red & whites' consistently maintained the distance up until 9' (20-8), however, turnovers and bad choices allowed Aris to close in to 4p. (28-24) at 16'. But that was as far as it went... Giorgos Bartzokas insisted in the line up with Lountzis, Papas, Larentzakis, Petrusev and Fall on the floor and was vindicated for his choice. Our team 'replied' with a partial 13-3 and closed the first half at +14 (41-27). 

With Nikola Milutinov dominating the post, Olympiacos maintained complete control up until 25' (+16, 52-36). Nevertheless, Aris took advantage of our teams consecutive turnovers, they struck from a distance and in the transition, closing in to 3p. (54-51) at 28'. Relying on his twin 'towers' (initially on Milutinov and then on Fall), Olympiacos remained steadily in the driver's seat (67-59 at 33'), with Aris though not abandoning the game (69-64).  

The last four minutes, however, were a one man show... Bartzokas' players put pressure in defense, moved the ball with absolute efficience in offense, and with a partial 16-2 sent the difference skyrocketing to 19p. (85-66) at 39', putting an early end to the game. 

• Thomas Walkup suffered a sprain in his left foot at 7' and was not able to continue. His condition will be reassessed tomorrow (01/01).

• Kostas Papanikolaou and Nigel Williams-Goss were not included in the final roster for resting purposes. The same went for Shaquielle McKissic and Luke Sikma, who are not eligible to play in the Basket League.

The quarters: 20-11, 41-27, 59-54, 85-71.