Storming into 2016
Olympiacos bested Apollon Patras 83-62 for the 12th day of the SKRATS Basket League and now counts 11 victories for the Greek League.
The ‘reds’ showed from the first quarter that they were going to dominate the game. 20-15 of the first quarter was 38-31 at half time, 59-42 at 30’ and the Sfairopoulos’ team easily reached the final 83-62.
THE DEFENSE: The ‘reds’ received 31 points during each half. Their best defensive period in the game was during the third quarter when they kept the opponent scoreless for 3 minutes and allowed only 11 points during the whole quarter.
THE OFFENSE: The Piraeus players had both good and bad moments offense wise. They found easy score through their defense in the fast break and when they built up confidence, they made open shots and hence they easily scored 83 points.
THE MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis. For the second game in a row, following the game against Barcelona, the captain was magnificent. He scored 11 points and passed 6 assists during the 20 minutes he was on the floor, making the work of this team much easier.
KEEPING, FORGETTING: Olympiacos is keeping the excellent performance by Athinaiou, Agravanis and Milutinov. All three of them were excellent both on both ends of the floor. Forgets for good the defense during the last quarter, a period when the guests scored 20 points.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 20-15, 38-31, 59-42, 83-62
Olympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Spanoulis 11 (1), Strawberry 7 (1), Milutinov 12, Agravanis 8 (1), Mantzaris 5 (1), Johnson-Odom 9 (1), James 7, Hunter 6, Papapetrou 5 (1), Hackett 3, Αthinaiou 10.
Apollon Patron (Mexas): Palbland 11 (3), Jawarra 3, Dillard 12, Maker 18 (2), Sadler 8, Argyropoulos 1, Verginis 7 (1), Mastrogiannopoulos, Pelekoudas 2, Kouzeloglou, Woods.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «I think we played a good game. We controlled it through our defense. We received 31 points in each half. What we did not do as much as we had wanted to, was our not so good offensive performance in the first half. Patras tactics involved closing pathways and allowing us to shoot from a distance. We missed some open shots. Maybe we were nervous. I think that we did not have a clear head in offense. We began stronger in the second half defense wise and we were more determined in offense. We ‘read’ the game better. We saw a lot of good co-operation and that’s how we found rhythm in offense. The shots we made were of better rhythm, we were shooting better and controlled the game. It’s a good win”, the ‘reds’ coach said in the beginning.
He then pointed out that “we used all of our players. James is coming in stronger after an initial period of adjustment. Johnson-Odom played a good first game with the team. We definitely need to improve some details in the co-operation with these two players. It’s only logical that they cannot cooperate perfectly yet with the rest of the players. We did not let Printezis play to give him some rest, the same with Tsairelis who’s been having some back problems and we did not want to risk a lapse. It’s important that we have had a good game and many players were ready. We showed a better face in the second half. We are focusing on the Euroleague and the game against Laboral that’s very important, just like all the games in the group”.
As for the Patras team, he commented: “Apollon is doing a very good job. They have incorporated some good players. They had won their previous three games. This means a lot for the future. I would also like to thank our fans for coming to the gym. It’s an hour that’s family – friendly. We want more fans to come. I wish to thank those who came today and hope to see more people in the future”.
DARIUS JOHNSON-ODOM: “It was my first game. It was important for me, since it helped me realize where I came to play. I wanted to bring energy in defense. I’m not worried about missed shots. I want to bring energy in defense. I wasn’t stressed. Maybe I was nervous, since I was playing for Olympiacos. I want to have energy in defense and this what will get me in rhythm in the offense. I’m not worried about that part. It was a shock and a surprise for me. However, I’ve been working since I was in college to become the best player I can”.