«Red» lead
Olympiacos won the first game of the finals series against Panathinaikos Superfoods 63-58, with Nikola Milutinov being the MVP for the 'reds'.
The Piraeus team made an impressive beginning in the game and with a superb defensive game built a 19-10 lead. The margin went up to two digits in the second quarter, however, bad shooting percentages and lack of concentration allowed the guests a two point game at half-time (35-33).
The game was very close in the third quarter, defensive rebounds lost hurt our team and Panathinaikos got a 48-50 lead at 30'. However, the defending Champions under the leadership of Vasilis Spanoulis and with an impressive performance by Nikola Milutinov succeeded the upset and won the game 63-58.
Next game on Thursday (01/06) at OAKA. Nikola Milutinov was the MVP for the hosts with 12 points and only one free throw missed.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 19-10, 35-33, 48-50, 63-58.
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Papapetrou 5 (1), Milutinov 12 (4/4 2p., 4/5 1p.), Printezis 12 (2), Mantzaris 2, Spanoulis 11 (10as.), Green 3 (1/9 shots), Birch 5, Young 4, Waters 2, Αgravanis, Papanikolaou 7 (1).
Panathinaikos Superfoods (Pasqual): Feldeine, Charalampopoulos, Bourousis 13 (11 reb.), Singleton 9 (4/10 shots), Calathes 5 (1), Rivers 16 (3), James 6, Fotsis 5 (1), Pappas, Gist 2, Gabriel 2.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: "We won the first game, we play against a very good team. It was important that we controlled the game through our defense at the beginning and at the end of the game. We built a two digit margin, but Panathinaikos reacted, as it was only normal to happen. We received score following offensive rebounds and fast breaks, but at the end, when we were trailing by 3, we played very good defense and scored important baskets. The way the game evolved, it was a fair victory. Congratulations to our players, we move on, we need to see at our mistakes and play better in the second game. We wish to thank our fans, the atmosphere was proper and that's how it should be next. The game did not have quality, only because it was crucial. What counts is the result though and we are happy for it. We need to play better, even at defense, despite receiving only 58 points, while we need to move the ball better in our offense and 'read' the game better to execute more efficiently".
KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU: «A final, especially game one, is very crucial. There is pressure, especially for the home team that needs to keep home court advantage. In a bad game for us, we showed to have character at the end, we did a few things right and got a victory that either by one point or more brings us closer to our goal».
XAVI PASQUAL: «Congratulations to Olympiacos for the win. I think the game was clear. We did not play bad in the first five minutes, but we did not get to score. We gradually returned, made some adjustments and had the chance to win at the end, but with such little scoring in the last quarter it's difficult to win. Especially in the last 90'' we did not play well in the offense at all».
KC RIVERS: «It was a game with a lot of ups and downs. We were leading in the fourth quarter. We were doing fine in defense, but we lacked movement offensively. We had the chance to win, but did not make it. We now have the second game in our home court and we need to be ready to fight for the win. We need to make some corrective moves on both ends of the floor».