2-0 and closing to the Trophy!

Olympiacos bested Panathinaikos 92-86 in a packed Peace and Friendship Stadium and is now one win away from winning the Basket League!

Relying on good perimeter percentages, the 'greens' were leading 2-8 at 2', but Papanikolaou and Peters replied likewise and got to tie the score right away (8-8). Panathinaikos continued leading the game (17-19) and with a 5-0 partial increased the distance to 7p. (17-24) at 9'. Olympiacos, that was facing significant offensive problems due to the pressing defense of the guests, found solutions with Goss, Petrusev and Peters and closed into one point (28-29) at 16'.

Ergin Ataman's team immediately replied with a 7-0 streak and came to lead by 8 for the first time in the game (28-36). However, the 'red & whites' reflexes got in motion once again... Giorgos Bartzokas' players pushed back with their defense, found score from the 3-point line and got ahead for the first time 38-36. Finally, it was Grigonis who wrote the final score of the first half with a three-pointer at 19' (38-39). 

With Papanikolaou returning on the floor (he had 2 fouls early on and was benched to be protected in view of the remainder of the game), Olympiacos' performance completely changed on both ends of the floor. The 'red & whites' played a seminar - worthy defensive game, found solutions in the offense mainly with their captain and Canaan and built a 14p. lead (60-46 at 27'). But the tempo slowed down afterwards and Panathinaikos, running a partial 9-2 score, closed into 7p. (62-55) at 30'.

The 'red & whites' continued controlling the game (74-64), while when Panathinaikos managed to come as close as to 5p. (79-74), Isaiah Canaan and Nigel Williams-Goss deflected their come back with threes (85-76 at 38') practically ending the battle for the win. 

The quarters: 21-24, 38-39, 62-55, 92-86.