Easy win over Aris
Olympiacos got an easy win against Aris at the SEF 86-66, for the 17th day of the STOIXIMAN.GR Basket League. Vasilis Spanoulis was not included in the rotation, while Bobby Brown made his debut with the Greek League.
Olympiacos was late to find rhythm in the offense, which Aris exploited on, leading 10-8 at 4'. The 'reds' put pressure in the defense, found easy baskets in the fast break, "struck" from the perimeter with Kim Tillie and Ioannis Papapetrou and with a partial 13-6 got a 9p. lead (23-14 at 11'). Bobby Brown (in his Basket League debut) and Brian Roberts took the margin to +15 (35-20 at 18'), however the guests closed in at 9p. (35-26). Finally, with five points in a row by Ioannis Papapetrou, including a three point buzzer beater from the center court allowed our team to close half time leading 40-26.
Στην επανάληψη ο Ολυμπιακός επέβαλε τον ρυθμό του και αύξησε ακόμη περισσότερο τις αποστάσεις (+21, 54-33 στο 25'). Ο Άρης αρνήθηκε να καταθέσει τα όπλα και εκμεταλλευόμενος τα αμυντικά κενά και την επιθετική δυστοκία της ομάδας μας, μείωσε με ένα επί μέρους σκορ 10- 1στους 12π. (55-43, στο 28'). Ωστόσο, Ιωάννης Παπαπέτρου και Νίκολα Μιλουτίνοφ ανέλαβαν δράση ανεβάζοντας και πάλι τον δείκτη της διαφοράς στους +20 (63-43, στο 29'). Μοιραία η 4η περίοδος απέκτησε διαδικαστικό χαρακτήρα με την ομάδα μας να ελέγχει απόλυτα το παιχνίδι (+27, 80-53, στο 37') και να φτάνει άνετα στην τελική επικράτηση.
Olympiacos imposed the tempo and increased the distance even further (+21, 54-33 at 25'). Aris refused to give up and taking advantage of gaps in the defense and our team's difficulty to score, run a partial 10-1 which shrunk the difference to 12 (55-43 at 28'). However, Ioannis Papapetrou and Nikola Milutinov took over and once again the lead was +20 (63-43 at 29'). Hence the procedural character of the fourth quarter, with our team completely controlling the game (+27, 80-53 at 37') and getting the easy victory.
The quarters: 21-14, 40-26, 63-46, 86-66.
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Milutinov 10 (8 reb.), Strelnieks, Printezis (5 reb.), Papanikolaou 6 , Mantzaris 15 (4), ΜcLean 5, Brown 6 (1), Τoliopoulos 3 (1), Papapetrou 15, Tillie 8 (2), Roberts 9 (1), Bogris.
Aris (Giannakis): Μaras 6, Bochoridis 13, Tsairelis 8, Poulianitis 8 (1), Prewitt 3 (1), Flionis 9 (1), Christidis, Μourtos 6, Athinaiou 9 (1), Douvier 2, Bell 2.
«All goals were achieved tonight»
The game against Aris had multiple goals, according to Giannis Sfairopoulos. "It was a good game in general. We had some not so good parts, we made some turnovers. 17 turnovers are too much for our level and have to do with lack of concentration. However, our performance was just like we wanted it to be in general terms. We controlled the game from the start. Aris played zone defense and from a point on we responded very well to that. It was a good game that allowed me to give minutes to everyone. There was a good rotation and of course, victory comes first, however, our main objectives were to incorporate Brown and Tillie in the rotation, the rhythm and the spirit of the team. All of these goals were fulfilled in tonight's game, so we move on".
Asked on whether Brown's presence has prompted more players to improve their level of performance, the Olympiacos' coach replied: "I expect that all my players play well. Brown's rhythm adds quality. However, it's important that everyone else steps up. Yes, we have one more player, but he's not a Messiah. The team is cohesive, has its leader, has a certain built up over the years. We have many good players and we believe in all of them, that's why we haven't released anyone. As you remember, I had talked about an addition and not a change. I had said that we are getting a player to add a sense of security and certainty. Everyone knows that they have a role in this team that they need to be ready to give their best and help the team. I expect that we get even better. I believe we can play much better. We are definitely focusing on one game at a time, but the more time passes, the more we need to upgrade our performance. That's what I'm expecting from everyone, now that we all get to train together and that we are healthy. It's important for Brown and Tillie to get acclimated, to understand their team mates' game and the plays and to have to additional and reliable solutions".