A winning performance in Patras
Olympiacos bested Promitheas 87-73 in Patras, for the 13th day of the STOIXIMAN. GR Basket League.
The 'reds' moved the ball with success in the first quarter, made the right offensive choices, contained the Promitheas' players and 'built' a +10 difference (24-14, at 8'). In the 2nd quarter, Janis Strelnikes and Kyle Wiltjer got to "skyrocket" the margin from +9 (17-26 at 10') to +25 (18-43 at 15'). Promitheas however, was quick to answer… They took advantage of the gaps in our team's defense, as well as its turnovers (11 in the first half for only 4 on the part of the hosts) and with a partial 18-2 run closed in at 9p. (36-45 at 20').
In the second half Olympiacos sped up and once again broadened the distance, this time to +18 (38-55 at 24'). However, although maintaining full control, Promitheas got to exploit on the bad percentages of the 'reds' from the perimeter and take the difference to 8p. (55-63 at 30'). The hosts tried to press so as to get back in the game (65-74), however, our captain, Vasilis Spanoulis, took over and practically sealed the victory for our team!
The quarters: 17-26, 36-45, 55-63, 73-87
Promitheas P. (Giatras): Lipovyy 3(1), Τountziarakis 3, Gkikas 3(1), Faye 4, Saloustros 10(2), Gatzios, Hall 6, Toure' 3(1), Ermeidis, Ellis 20, Murry 3(1), Μilosevic 21(2).
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Τoliopoulos, Papapetrou 2, Spanoulis 18(4), Μilutinov 8(9 reb.), Strelnieks 7, Printezis 9, Papanikolaou 7(6 reb., 5 as.), Roberts 11(3), Μantzaris 3, Bogris 4(7 reb., 3as.), Wiltjer 17(4), Τhompson 1.
"The whole team is the ΜVP"
The Olympiacos' coach, Giannis Sfairopoulos, stated: "It was a tough mission for us, because we were playing a quality team. A team that is very athletic, very organized on the floor, they know where to strike and what they want. The use different line ups, tall, short, players that can attack the basket from any distance. We were focused from the beginning. We always had control of the game, apart from a time when the margin was huge and we kind of relaxed. This was at the end of the first half. It's normal; you cannot expect to play at the same tempo the whole game. The positive thing is that the players coped with the demands of such a difficult game. We had focus and good defense in general. We weren't good with defensive rebounding, we gave our opponent a lot of offensive ones and made a lot of turnovers when attacking. We need to pay attention to these two parts of the game. However, our effort was quite good as a total. We scored enough open baskets, run the open floor, had good percentages from behind the three point line, we moved the ball well and were pluralistic with our offense, elements that we need to build on".
He continued talking about the tough program of the team during the last ten days… "Let's not forget that this game was actually the fifth one for us in the last ten days. We have come through a very tough schedule. What comes ahead is also difficult, however, when you play back to back games and you have played 4 games in 7 days, with traveling included and you have to play a 5th game, well, it's not easy. You need a lot of energy and mental reserves and I think we had those tonight. I want to wish the Promitheas coach all the best and congrats for their course up to now".
The coach did not forget to thank the fans that supported the team in Patras: "I would like to sincerely thank the Olympiacos fans that were here and supported the team. We played a good game and I think we paid them back for their voice. I thank them".
On who he would pick as the MVP of the game, he replied: "The whole team, because tonight we played as one. We covered for one another in defense, but you also saw how the ball was moving when in offense. We had some blank periods, but also times when we got to play the way we really want to. I think that this proves pluralism, along with assists and the fact that all the players scored with very good percentages. That proves that we really moved the ball well and the MVP is the whole team".
When asked to compare last season's team with this year's, he said: "This season the team is more athletic and more complete. It has more solutions. It has goals. It's a very good team…"
Kyle Wiltjer played his best game to this day with the 'reds' "I'm glad about that. My team mates trusted me, they gave me the ball and I scored. We are coming from a tough loss and we need to recover. I think that our defense gave us energy in the offense. We are happy for the victory. On the road games are always tough".