A win with superb defense
Olympiacos, playing superb defense, bested Red Star 73-65 and now holds a 9-4 record following 13 games for the Euroleague RS.
The game began with the two teams lacking focus in their defense. Olympiacos was leading 22-18 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the 'reds' significantly improved their defense and Lojeski and Green offered offensive boost to end the half-time at 45-34.
Nikola Milutinov continued doing a great job into the second quarter as well and hence the difference got stabilized at above ten points throughout the third quarter which ended 56-43. In the last quarter, the Greek Champions continued playing excellent defense and reached the final 73-65 with ease, although the game opened up in the last minutes and defense was relaxed.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 22-18, 45-34, 56-43, 73-65
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Green 15 (1), Birch 1, Young 2, Τoliopoulos, Papapetrou 2, Spanoulis 5, Αgravanis 9 (1), Milutinov 11, Papanikolaou 5, Mantzaris 3 (1), Lojeski 18 (4), Αthinaiou 2.
Red Star (Radonic): Walters 4, Dangubic 4, Lazic, Dobric 1, Simonovic 4, Jenkins 5 (1), Guduric 12, Jovic 16 (1), Kuzmic 13, Bjelica 4.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: "We played a good game tonight, we generally controlled the game for most part. Following the game against PAOK, we said that we needed to play better defense and our goal was achieved. We only received 65 points and we are happy with that. However, we could have avoided some cheap baskets that we received following turnovers or offensive rebounds. In general our good defense was the key to the victory. We only received 9 points in the third quarter and reached maximum margin. I think this is what decided the game. I would like to thank the fans for coming and supporting the team. We still have a very long way to go and we need their help with every game. We need our gym full because it's not easy to play in full gyms like in Kaunas. We haven't still seen our gym packed and we need the support of our fans even more from now on.
Asked on whether the friendly atmosphere had an impact on the players, the Greek coach said that "the atmosphere was against focus in such a crucial game, but our players were focused, especially in defense. Our offense wasn't as good in the second half though. This is where we kind of lost focus and determination".
On giving minutes and how Green approached the game: "From the beginning of the season we have built a team that uses all its players. They need to be ready to play, I trust them and I show it. I believe in team work and in team plays. Tonight, everyone that came on the floor tried for the best. I have been accused many times about rotating, but preparing the team is the most important factor. Olympiacos has a full roster. As for Green, he has incorporated in the team philosophy and offers on many aspects of the game by now. His performances are now more complete and he's in a higher level".
DEJAN RADONIC: "Congratulations to Olympiacos for the victory. We played bad defense in the first half. In the first quarter we have had problems with rebounding and Olympiacos found easy points. Our defense got better in the second quarter, but with 2/17 threes you cannot say much and of course you cannot beat Olympiacos on the road".
NIKOLA MILUTINOV: "We got a very important victory. We have had control for 40 minutes. We could have been even better in defense and especially with rebounding. We need to correct this. I try to play the best I can. We need to forget about this game and focus on the next. We play every two or three days, we always need to think about game next. Against Bamberg, it's going to be our 4th game in ten days. We need to rest the most we can. I want to say once again, we only care about happens in the future. We need to prepare and play the best we can".
MAT LOJESKI: "We played good defense. We are looking at our next game and we want to be as high in the ranking as possible. I have been playing with these guys for a long time now, I'm getting into rhythm".
OGNJEN KUZMIC: "Our biggest problem was with our offense, we took many shots that were off target and the defeat was only natural. We are looking at one game at a time and we are going to see where it got us at the end. It was nice coming back to the city".