Easy win
Olympiacos put out an impressive defensive performance for yet another time; they had a pluralistic offensive line and hence won another game, this time against Aris (69-55) for the 18th day of the STOIXIMAN. GR Basket League.
It was an impressive defensive begin for Olympiacos this time as well that kept Aris at single digit scoring in the first quarter and with Mantzaris 'firing' the first quarter ended 20-9. In the second quarter, the outlook was exactly the same. The Greek Champions were just not receiving points, Green, Printezis and Milutinov were doing an upscale offensive job and half time was 40-21.
In the beginning of the third quarter, Aris tried to react, closed in below ten points, but the 'reds' found answers with Papanikolaou, Agravanis and Lojeski and sent the difference to +13 (54-41) at 30'.
In the last quarter, the 'reds' had complete control of the game, kept Aris at bay and won 69-55.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 20-9, 40-21, 54-41, 69-55
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Green 14 (2), Birch 2, Toliopoulos, Papapetrou 3, Waters 2, Αgravanis 4, Μilutinov 9, Printezis 9 (2), Papanikolaou 9 (2), Mantzaris 11 (3), Lojeski 4, Αthinaiou 2.
Aris (Priftis): Jackson 4, Xanthopoulos, Flionis, Jenkins 10 (2), Cummings 12 (1), Zaras 5 (1), Mourtos, Gordon 2, Jankovic 9 (1), Kavvadas 13, Dragisevic.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «It was an easy victory against a serious and competitive opponent. We built the foundation in the first quarter, we received only 9 points till its end and only 21 until half time break, building a large margin. We had expected Aris to react, we did not start well, but even so, we got a fair victory. We have the chance to give some breathing room to our players, to rest them and wait for our injured players to recover».
ERICK GREEN: «I believe we made a good start, wanting to play well for 40 minutes, just like a great team should be doing. We generally played very well in defense and got to win. I believe we are going to be getting better every day».
DIMITRIS PRIFTIS: «We have had a very bad first half, on both ends of the floor. The main problem was intensity and Olympiacos took advantage of our passiveness and indolence. We got better in the second half, but the margin was too wide and hard to cover for. How we played in the first half is a problem and I cannot see how we can be optimistic in view of the Saturday final, that is going to be an equally demanding game. The way we played in the first half leaves no room for optimism. We need to change. All the best to Olympiacos».
JAMON LUCAS GORDON: «We did not start as wanted in the first half, Olympiacos is a great team and took advantage of it. We got better after half time, but we need to be starting strong and do what the coach asks for».