An easy afternoon at Patras
Olympiacos got a win (72-53) on the road against Prometheus for the 25th day of the STOIXIMAN.GR Basket League and now needs only one victory, in the last game against Kimi at home on Maundy Thursday, to 'lock' seed one in the regulation.
The Greek Champions were leading Prometheus 12-18 in the first quarter through an amazing defensive game. They continued the same way in the second quarter, however, a new unfortunate incident (Birch getting injured) gave the 'reds' a big scare, but despite all of that they were still leading 28-32 at half-time.
In the third quarter, Olympiacos played great defense and with Spanoulis, Papanikolaou, Printezis and Mantzaris showing the way, the difference went to two digits (36-48) for the first time at 27'. Young was positive on both ends of the floor and the third quarter ended with Olympiacos completely dominating the game (38-53).
In the last quarter, the Piraeus team continued playing an incredible defense. Prometheus was having an incredibly difficult time scoring, our team was functioning properly in offense and the difference was twenty points (48-68) at 37'. Olympiacos easily reached the final 72-53 and the 24-1 record after 25 games for the Regular season.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 12-18, 28-32, 38-53, 53-72.
Prometheus (Angelou): Gikas 4, Faye 9 (1), Dickerson 2, Jones 13 (2), Moore 4, Papantoniou 9 (1), Jacksen, Geromichalos 4, Todic 7 (1), Sarikopoulos 1.
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Spanoulis 10 (1 3p, 4as), Μilutinov 5, Printezis 6 (6reb), Papanikolaou 14 (2 3p, 6reb), Mantzaris 3 (1 3p, 7reb, 1as), Green 8 (3reb), Birch 3 (3reb), Young 7 (5reb), Papapetrou 7, Waters 5 (1 3p), Αgravanis 4 (4reb), Αthinaiou.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «We played a good game today. A good defensive game since we kept Prometheus from going scoring high, although they are very good at it especially at home. We weren't shooting very well to build a broader margin in the first half, but overall, we played a balanced game. Our defense got us easy scoring in the second half. I think we got a victory against a worthy and competitive team. I wish them good luck. I'm very happy to be in the company of coach Petropoulos, whom I love very much" the Olympiacos coach said and at that point coach Petropoulos got to talk "I also love him very much. I've learned a lot from this gentleman. I was asking him how we are going to be facing a certain pick n' roll and he would be bringing me a three page analysis. I would say choose the most relevant ones and let's play them. He's an excellent coach and with this ethos and character of his he has mastered his existence in the Greek League and the Euroleague and is an example to everyone else. I hold him dear to my heart" was what Petropoulos had to say to the coach of the Greek Champions who answered back "Petropoulos is a diamond for the sport, we younger ones learned a lot from his work ethic and personality. He's very dear to me as well".
Giannis Sfairopoulos was asked how Khem Birch is doing and he said that "Birch has suffered a sprain, it doesn't seem serious, but we'll have to see when we get back».
PATRIC YOUNG: «In the first half we were not playing according to principle. The coach explained what we had to do at half time, I think that we did most of it in the third quarter, we played good defense and built the margin».
IOANNIS PAPAPETROU: «It was a competitive game. We were only leading by 4 at half time, but we played better in the second half, we only received 53 points, played harder in defense, we were more aggressive on both ends of the floor and got the victory. It wasn't an easy game, despite what the score says».