First victory against Aris!
Olympiacos beat Aris 84-54, leads the semi finals series of the STOIXIMAN.GR Basket League 1-0 and is two wins away from making the finals. Kostas Papanikolaou was the top scorer for the team.
Olympiacos did not start the game as expected. This resulted in Aris leading 8-11, but after the game got back on track for the hosts and the Greek Champions never looked back again. Defense improved immensely and the quarter closed 21-17.
In the second quarter, Olympiacos' offensive game became better; the same was true for the defense and half time ended with double digit margins. The 'reds' were impressive in the third quarter on both ends of the floor. The hosts scored only seven points during that time, Olympiacos got to score 20 and hence the difference touched 30 points (64-38) at 30'. In the last quarter, Giannis Sfairopoulos rested some of his key players in view of the second game, tried different line ups and the game ended 84-54.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 21-17, 44-31, 64-38, 84-54.
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Μilutinov 2, Printezis 10, Papanikolaou 17(1), Mantzaris 6(2), Spanoulis 10, Green 11(3), Birch 4, Young 11, Τoliopoulos 5(1), Papapetrou, Waters 3, Αgravanis 5(1).
Aris (Priftis): Scott 3(1), Cummings 10, Jankovic 10(1), Kavvadas 14, Dragisevic, Xanthopoulos, Flionis 2, Tsairelis 1, Zaras 8(2), Christidis, Jackson, Mourtos 5.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «We began rather focused. We know that Aris is a quality team. They showed it in the beginning, when they created problems for us that we had to find solutions for. Gradually, we did that on both ends of the floor. It's important that our defense was very good. We received 54 points and only 7 in the third quarter. The collaborations in the offense were very good. We deserved the victory, the stats speak for the game. I told my players that this is only 1-0. Victories and not margins count in the play-offs. We opened up the score, but we are expecting a much tougher game in Thessaloniki. It's certain that Aris is going to react and we need to be mentally ready. We wish to thank the fans that came to see us. It's important that we were upping up our game throughout. Congratulations to all our players».
On the injury of Ioannis Papapetrou: «At first, I did not realize how serious it was. Then they called us to approach, it was a difficult moment. Fortunately it's not something serious and he's going to be with the team, I don't know when, but he's going to be».
ERICK GREEN: «It was a good game. We overall played a good game, but we need to leave it behind us, since we have the next game in their gym. I'm only focusing on the game against Aris on Saturday. I'm not thinking about the Final Four. I'll think about them when we get there».
PATRIC YOUNG: «It has been a tough season. I wish to thank the coach for putting up with me throughout. I've had many ups and down, but now I am where I need to be, now that the season calls for it. It's the play-offs, that are going to be deciding everything. We only did 1-0, nothing is over. When we go to Istanbul for the Final Four, then we are going to focus on it. We are now only focusing on Aris. They are a good team, strong in their home court and they gave us a really hard time when we played them in Thessaloniki for the regular season».
DIMITRIS PRIFTIS: «Congratulations to Olympiacos. We were not competitive. We lost touch with the score in the third quarter. We did not play well. Olympiacos was very serious and had a lot of energy. They punished each one of our mistakes. They were efficient. They were absolutely ready. We need to improve, to work on our speed more».
VASSILIS KAVVADAS: «We did not succeed in being competitive contrary to what Olympiacos did. They deserved to win and we now need to get our act together for the game that follows in Thessaloniki. I wish that Olympiacos comes back with the trophy»