Lost to Fenerbahace at home
Olympiacos wasn't able to break Fenerbahce's resistance and lost 77-87 for the 23rd round of the Euroleague.
Playing without Shaquielle McKissic and Thomas Walkup, Olympiacos began the game against Fener with great focus in a packed Peace and Friendship Stadium. With aggressive defense and Nigel Williams-Goss and Evan Fournier leading the offense, the 'red & whites' got control of the game (6-2, 2'), leading even by 8p. at 5' (13-5). Fener tried to react 'running' a partial 5-0, closing in to one basket (14-12, 8'), but Sasha Vezenkov took over and made the score 21-17, which is how the first quarter ended. In the second quarter, the hosts began equally motivated, running a quick 6-0 with Sasha Vezenkov scoring following a steal by Luca Vildoza (28-22, 12'). The guests tough found ways to balance the game, upping the pressure on defense, when at the same time, the 'red & white' perimeter defense wasn't functioning as effectively (30-32, 14'). Fener struck from the 3-point line, hurting our team, that replied running a partial 7-0 of its own (40-41, 34''), with half-time ending at 40-43.
In the third quarter, five points by Kostas Papanikolaou (who received an honorary award by the Presidents on his record 350 Euroleague games played with the team) and two defensive plays of his, provided solutions for our team (48-52, 22'), that however, continued rather sluggish with its defensive efforts (48-57, 25'). Evan Fournier won a foul after scoring, while Nikola Milutinov scored in the post again, making the score 55-58. Fener, though, continued controlling the tempo, putting big pressure on the ball and moving the ball better in offense (55-62), with the third quarter ending at 59-69. In the last ten minutes, our team started out with more energy in the defensive end and clearer thinking when attacking, hence producing a partial 6-0 that made the score 64-69 (33'). Luca Vildoza scored a three (67-72), a 'breather' from the deep end for Olympiacos, with Fener however, building a new double-digit lead (67-78, 35'), following three off-target shots by our team. The guests were shooting with greater efficieny and consistency, taking advantage of our lackluster defense (69-83,37') and got the 77-87 win.
The quarters : 21-17, 40-43, 59-69, 77-87
