At the top of the world!
Olympiacos beat Pinheiros in their second game as well (86-69) and climbed the top of the world conquering the Intercontinental Cup.
The Brazilians led 4-0 at the beginning, but the Back2Back Champions of Europe took the lead with an 8-0 run. Dunston once again dominated the post, Printezis offered offensive solutions and thus the team of Giorgos Bartzokas was leading 22-21 at the end of the first quarter.
In the beginning of the second quarter, Olympiacos led 30-23 with a partial 8-2 streak, however, Pinheiros succeeded with a 7-0 run to tie the game (30-30). Olympiacos nevertheless had an immediate reaction and closed the first half leading 40-33.
Olympiacos sent the difference at plus 10 points for the first time (47-37). The Back2Back European Champions dominated the game completely in the third quarter. Printezis and Perperoglou did a great job and the margin widened at 16 points (62-46) at 28’ with the third quarter ending 64-50.
The reds stepped on the accelerator in the last quarter and led for the first time with more than 20 points (71-50) only two minutes into the fourth quarter. The point difference even reached +23 (75-52) in favor of the reds. Pinheiros run a 10-0 streak at that point and closed in at 75-62 at 36’, but Olympiacos quickly made +18 (80-62) and the game ended finding Olympiacos at the top of the world.
Τhe quarters: 21-22, 33-40, 50-64, 69-86.
Pinheiros (Mortari): Dos Santos, Boracini 8, Smith 12, De Soouza 8 (1), Dias Silva, Caboclo, Stallworth 27 (2), Mortari, Toyloy 6, Ferreira 3 (1), Tavernari 5 (1)
Olympiacos (Bartzokas): Petway 7 (1), Dunston 8 (6reb), Spanoulis 6 (1 3p, 7as), Perperoglou 6, Sloukas 4, Simmons 6, Begic 10, Printezis 16 (2), Agravanis 5, Mantzaris 10 (2), Katsivelis 4, Lojeski 4.
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: “We are all very happy on how tonight’s game went. This journey is going to be an unforgettable experience. We became acquainted with the culture of sports loving people. And at the same time we gathered a lot of data on how basketball is played in Latin America. We have had the chance to prepare in regard to tactics for tonight’s game. So, the players were readier to react to the way Pinheiros has been playing and at the same time we were better rested since we have had two whole days here to adjust to the huge time difference. I would like to sincerely congratulate our players. We are especially excited and honored to have had so many fans to support us; this only makes it possible for our new players to understand what an important club Olympiacos is. They have witnessed the support we have had at the other side of the planet and this is going to assist them with adapting. Finally, I would like to dedicate this to our Presidents, for giving us the chance to win titles, by participating this great club”.