Fought, despite bad luck
Although left without a classic center (Fall was injured and Milutinov got injured during the game), Olympiacos fought to the end at the OAKA, however, did not make it. The team lost to Panathinaikos 85-80, for the 15th day of the Basket League.
The 'red & whites' did not start with good omens. Nikola Milutinov was charged with his second foul at 5' and Giorgos Bartzokas had to withdraw him from the game. At the same time, the hosts, relying on good defense and good perimeter percentages, 'built' a 15p. lead (21-6). Filip Petrusev, however, who replaced 'Milou' and played as a center - due to the lack of the injured Moustapha Fall - made the difference. The Serb put pressure on the defense, fought for the rebounds, and gave solutions in the offense. With the help of Alec Peters, they helped our team close into 5p. (23-18) at 10'. Relying on Nan, Panathinaikos took advantage of turnovers and bad offensive choices our team was making and once again furthered the distance (+14, 40-26 at 16'). Filip Petrusev though stepped up once again. This time, he had Nigel Williams-Goss assisting him in the new counter-attack launched by the 'red & whites', thanks to which the team made a 2-point game (44-42) at 20'.
At only the 3rd minute of the second half, Olympiacos unfortunately witnessed getting knocked out. The Serbian center stepped on one of his teammates' feet, sprained his, and was immediately taken to be evaluated. With Petrusev again at '5' and despite his amazing game, Panathinaikos imposed the rhythm (63-54 at 30', 73-58 at 33') and controlled the game up until 36' (78-66). The 'red & whites' though did not give up the fight. They fought hard in defense, found target from the long-range (with Larentzakis, Papanikolaou, Walkup, and Peters), and with Nigel Williams-Goss taking center stage, got to close to one point (80-79) with 28.1'' on the clock.
Τhe last seconds:
Grant made the score 81-79 with 1 for 2 free throws, Goss made it 81-80 the same way and he immediately sent Girgonis to the foul line, who made both of his to write the 83-80 on the score-board (10.2'' for the end). Olympiacos theoretically had one more chance, but when Walkup tried to put the ball back in the court, he gave it right into Kalaitzakis hands, who got fouled by Papanikolaou and with 2/2 free throws made the final 85-80.
The quarters: 23-18, 44-42, 63-54, 85-80.
