Big win over Maccabi in Belgrade

Olympiacos bested Maccabi Tel-Aviv 94-91 in Belgrade for the 10th round of the Euroleague and improved his winning record to 7-3.

Olympiacos made a good start in the game, with good cooperations in offense where Sasha Vezenkov and Evan Fournier were the protagonists (2-10, 2'). The 'red & whites' were controlling the tempo (6-14, 4') through their offense, up until an 18-29 score 98'). In the last two minutes of the quarter, the hosts 'struck' in the transition -also taking advantage or our bad defensive returning - and with six unanswered points dropped the difference to 24-29 by the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, Milutinov and Wright offered solutions from the post (24-33, 12'), but turnovers and ineffecient defense were leading to poor choices when in offense, and hence Maccabi ran a partial 13-0 taking the lead (39-38, 17'). Two free throws by Sasha Vezenkov offered score for Olympiacos (44-40, 18'), but Kattash's team continued controlling the tempo (51-41, 19'), with half-time ending at 53-42.

In the third quarter, the Piraues team were transformed in defense and with Luca Vildoza and Evan Fournier taking center stage, they reclaimed the game. The Argentinian guard pressing on the ball and with two big 3-point shots was decisive in our team's counter-attack (59-55, 25'), while the French guard/forward was the key to unlock our offense. He was the one to put the 'red & whites' in the driver's seat (61-60, 27'), while Goss made the 63-70 with a fast-break at the end of the quarter.  In the fourth quarter, the game became a close derby, with Maccabi closing in to one point (81-82, 37'). At that point, Fournier made another big three (81-85, 38') that gave a four point lead to our team, but the game remained open up until the last seconds. Sasha Vezenkov kept his cool from the free throw line and made the score 88-92 with 16'' on the clock, but Tamir Blatt scored a huge three (91-92) that prolonged suspence. Vezenkov once again made both free throws awarded and shaped the final 91-94, with our team winning its second road win and fith consecutive one in the competition.

*Tyler Dorsy experienced discomoft in this left bicep during the game. His status will be assessed upon returning to Greece.

The quarters: 24-29, 53-42, 63-70, 91-94