Doubled the wins over Panathinaikos and secured a playoffs spot!
Olympiacos bested Panathinaikos at the SEF (76-74) for the 29th round of the Euroleague, 'doubling' their wins over the 'greens' and mathematically securing their place in the playoffs!
After a three-point frenzy in the first two minutes of the game, with the score at 6-6 thanks to Nigel Williams-Goss, Olympiacos, with energy and intensity in their defense, went on a 14-3 run, becoming the absolute dominant force in the game. Moving the ball with patience and with beautiful team plays, our team set the pace (10-6, 5') by running a 12-0 streak. Sasha Vezenkov and Kostas Papanikolaou teamed up in the most impressive play of the first period, while Goss and Fall were crucial defensively, and the period ended with a score of 20-9! In the second quarter, the captain scored from the 6.75m arc, setting the lead at +14 (25-11, 12'), with Panathinaikos trying to respond, when at the same time Shaquielle McKissic and Sasha Vezenkov kept hitting from the perimeter (32-15, 16'). Some poor offensive choices led to a 1-10 run for the 'greens', but the 'red & whites' answered with a 6-0 run, and both teams went to the locker rooms with a score of 38-27.
Olympiacos continued in the third quarter with the same focus on their defense. Kostas Papanikolaou was again accurate from three-point range, while Williams-Goss and Sasha Vezenkov led a 6-0 streak for the 'red & whites' (47-32, 22'). Luca Vildoza stepped up offensively, first scoring a three-pointer and then feeding Fall beautifully, with the difference reaching its maximum value of 58-39! Panathinaikos responded with a 0-9 run, taking advantage of some poor offensive choices, but Nikola Milutinov and Luca Vildoza scored to end the period at 62-50. At that point, the 'red & whites' lost Williams-Goss, who left with 5:11 remaining due to discomfort in the biceps of his right leg. The last period started with the first points from Shaquielle McKissic (66-52), with Olympiacos continuing to control the game until the 34th minute (70-56, 34'). Consecutive errors and an offensive 'blackout' allowed Panathinaikos to get back in the game, going on a 6-17 run and bringing the game to a one-possession score (76-74) with 29'' remaining on the clock. The final defense held, and Olympiacos secured another European win over Panathinaikos (76-74), enjoying their solo position at the top of the EuroLeague standings!
The quarters: 20-9, 38-27, 62-50, 76-74
