Great victory at the OAKA!
Olympiacos bested Panathinaikos Superfoods at the OAKA 87-85 at the overtime (71-71 at the regulation) and made one more important step in its effort to win one of the top four spots that give home court advantage for the Euroleague play-offs.
Poor offensive choices, bad percentages and a poor show were the main characteristics of the first five minutes, when Olympiacos was leading 1-3… With Gist and Gabriel leading, Panathinaikos succeeded in imposing the tempo and lead by four (16-12). However, the ‘reds’ relying on their good defense and good perimeter percentages (they struck from the 6.75m. with Roberts and Papapetrou) were not late to turn the game around and take the lead (32-23 at 15’).
Kim Tillie was excellent in his return to action following his serious injury during the Euroleague premiere and made a huge contribution to rebounding – an area Olympiacos got to dominate in the second quarter – and our team maintained control and got to lead by 13 (43-30 at 19’). Finally, with a 4-0 run, the Xavi Pascual players closed in 34-43, which was the score that marked the first half.
At just 23’, Brian Roberts made his 4th foul and was benched. However, the team did not lose focus. With consistently good defense and Vasilis Spanoulis and Giorgos Printezis leading the offense, maintained control and closed the third quarter at +12 (62-50).
Up until 37’, the ‘reds’ were controlling the game (70-64), however, they weren’t attacking correctly at that point and allowed the host to not only challenge winning the game, but also gain the lead at 39’ (71-70). Spanoulis tied the game 71-71 with 1/2 free throws (with 55’’ to the end), however, he was also the one to miss a lay-up, allowing the last offense of the game to Panathinaikos. Finally, the great defensive play of the captain paid off, since James was forced to decide on a play, actually not succeeding in taking the shot at all and the game went to overtime…
Panathinaikos, having Nick Calathes at center stage, tried to impose the rhythm and got to lead 81-78 with 2’ to the end, however, the return of Brian Roberts on the floor was a catalyst to the game. The American guard got to score behind the 6.75m., he made all his free throws and put Olympiacos again at the steering wheel (82-86). James made a one bucket game (84-86), Papapetrou scored 1 free throw to make the score 84-87, while the final 85-87 was written by James who made one of his two free throws at 2.8’’ before the buzzer.
The quarters: 18-16, 34-43, 50-62, 71-71. Παρ.: 85-87
Panathinaikos Superfoods (Pasqual): Singleton 13 (2), Rivers 6 (2), James 9, Pane 5, Pappas 1, Gist 21 (1), Vougioukas 1, Lekavicius, Gabriel 3 (1), Lodjeski 3 (1), Calathes 23 (2).
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): ΜcLean 9, Brown 5, Papapetrou 11 (2), Spanoulis 15 (1), Milutinov 4, Strelnieks 4, Τillie 2, Printezis 15 (2), Papanikolaou 3, Mantzaris, Roberts 18 (4), Wiltjer 1.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «I think it was a very interesting game between two great European teams. We began the game disorganizing the opponent, we played good defense and a good second quarter. At some parts of the game, we were leading by double digits. We began the third quarter with the same focus and true to our plan. We had expected Panathinaikos to react and that’s what they did in the fourth quarter. We made bad choices which Panathinaikos exploited on. The opponent scored any way they wanted to, with fast break transition and threes. Panathinikos got to lead in the over time, but we did not abandon the fight and we were better in the offense. We deserved to win, because we played better in the most part of the game. We continue, we have six games more to play and nothing is over yet».
On the refs: «The officiating was worthy of Euroleague and the European level both teams play at. They called what they saw».
On Tillie and Brown: «It’s the first time in the last days that we have all our players available. We miss Agravanis, but we had a player in his position. We have been missing players since the beginning of the season. It’s the first time I got to decide who would make the final cut. It’s different to be working with the whole team. For sure, we have missed Tillie a lot. He has filled the post defense wise and he still is not at full competition shape. Brown hasn’t had the time to grasp where he’s at, but he helped a lot. Just like Roberts did, who is a key – player and a quality one. His performance was very positive. Together with the rest of the team, they make a strong unit and it’s a moment we’ve been waiting for».
On Roberts’s level of focus: «It never was a matter of focus, but of being aggressive on both ends of the floor. Of not being hesitant».
On the … breathing space for some now that more people are on the team: «That’s how the team was planned in the summer, like it is now. But they never got to play this way until today. All the players gave something to the team. We made mistakes, we can improve, but our performance was better compared to other games. I have relied on Roberts since the beginning of the season and I expect Tillie and Brown to get better».
On Papapetrou: «Ioannis is a player that has the unequivocal support of everyone on the team. He’s young, but has been playing in European competitions for years. He has the character to move forward, because he’s humble, he’s not full of himself and works hard».
To close: «our defense was very good. The buckets we received were by Calathes at the post or on the open court and came from Calathes – Gist cooperations. It was important that we stopped Rivers and James, as well as Papppas and Lekavicius. We were very good at the perimeter».
BOBBY BROWN: «I have not played such a game ever again. It was what I had expected. I want to get acclimated more, but I loved participating such a derby. I know I’m still young in this team and I try to understand what I need to do on the floor. I have talked with my coach from day one about what I need to do for the team. My team mates have helped me, but also my coaches and every day they help me to adjust even more. There were no such rivalries when I played for Siena. Not many things have changed with the Euroleague since the last time I had played the competition. I try to insert myself in the team. We have a very deep roster. It takes patience for me to take the shots when the time comes. I’m now more mature not to take hasty moves on the floor. I know I play for Olympiacos and that this is Spanoulis’ team and I would like to be his … Robin. We have been talking since day one and he’s helping me a lot».
XAVI PASQUAL: «First of all, I would like to thank the fans that came at the gym. We are sorry for the loss. I think that we did not start the second quarter with the right attitude and Olympiacos got a wide berth. We improved a lot in the last quarter, had the chance to win the game, but did not make it. The game was the same in the over-time. Many things happened at the end, but these things happen in games like that. We need to stay together, continue and focus on the upcoming games».
On whether the addition of Mike James confused the team: «Many players had the chance to score, but it didn’t happen. Pappas and Rivers had not scored up to a point. It was logical how we managed the game. Each time there is a loss, we try to invent things. It’s a matter of intent. I’m responsible for the team and the loss, we don’t need to avert attention».
On what Panathinaikos needs to fix: «We need to take it one game at a time. We have to improve, we have lost two back to back games. The truth is all teams have ups and downs. We are not in a good place in the season. We need to focus on the next games, against Real and Unicaja».
On how long it will take to incorporate the new players 100%: «It’s going to take time. However, we don’t have that. We play a final against Real and another important game against Unicaja. We need to be better. We need to work hard».