An epic upset and a gutsy victory at the overtime!
Olympiacos walked the road from hell to heaven! Our team succeeded in turning around a seemly lost game with only one minute to go and came back from -9, beating Khimki at the overtime 109-88 (96-96).
With Vassilis Spanoulis 'serving' and Nikola Milutinov scoring, Olympiacos got to lead 15-7 at 6'. However, during that time, the Serbian center had two fouls (both defending against Shved), which forced Kemzura to bench him in order to protect him. The guests found target from the perimeter and closed in 19-17 (at 8'). The 'reds' tried to increase the distance (35-29), however, Khimki with Shved opening fire from the three point line, succeeded in making a two point game (39-37 at 16'). At that point, Vassilis Spanoulis took over and restored order (49-42, at 20').
In the second half, Nikola Milutinov returned on the floor (he hadn't played since 6') and the difference went to +11 for the first time (56-45), however, the Serb went to bench again at 25' following his third foul. Olympiacos maintained control though, this time relying on Printezis and got to increase the distance even further (12p., 65-53 at 27'). Alexey Shved however, had not said his last word… Khimki's guard was playing alone against everyone else and scoring almost exclusively, made a two point game at 29' (69-67).
At that time, the game turned into a derby, with Shved giving his team the lead for the first time with a three (72-74 at 33'). The Russian guard went to bench to get some rest, however, this did not stop Kramer and Bertans from taking advantage of the terrible offensive choices the 'reds' were making and increase the difference to +6 (76-82 at 35') 'striking' from the perimeter. Milutinov and Printezis exceeded themselves and closed in to one point (83-84 at 37'), but Shved and Karasev continued with the three point shootout and gave Khimki a 9 point lead (83-92, 1:30'' to the end).
With the guest at +9 (87-96) 1:09'' before the end, everything seemed lost, however, Kemzura's players denied to stand down. With excellent defensive plays and three threes (by Printezis, Paul and Spanoulis) they succeeded in tying the game (96-96, 21'' before the buzzer). In the last play of the game, the 'reds' did an exemplary job at guarding Shved and the game went to overtime.
There was only one team in the extra five minutes! Olympiacos' superb defense caused the Russians confusion and they were struggling to score. On the other hand, offensive pluralism (despite some overstretched attempts), allowed Kemzura's players to establish the tempo (103-96) and got the victory with an 11 points margin (109-98).
The quarters: 25-20, 49-42, 70-67, 96-96 Overtime: 109-98
Οlympiacos (Κemzura): Rochestie 4, Paul 8(1), Κoniaris, Spanoulis 18 (2 3p., 10 as.), Cherry 4, Μilutinov 16 (7 reb, 3 as), Vezenkov 6(1), Printezis 26 (1 3p., 7 reb.), Papanikolaou 18 (4 3p., 6 reb), Rubit 2, Reed 7.
Κhimki (Κurtinaitis): Shved 36 (7)), Kramer 5 (1), Booker 12, Karasev 8 (2), Zaytsev, Jerebko 10 (2), Monia, Gill, Jovic 1, Evans 17 (1), Bertans 9 (3)
"The players played with heart"
At first, Kestutis Kemzura had a hard time finding the words to express all that he was feeling after his team win. "The only thing I can say is … wow!", he commented. However, he then went on to analyze the game thoroughly. "We were leading for most of the game and we deserved it. We followed our plan. But, that's how basketball is nowadays and especially against a team like Khimki. If there is even the slightest loss of communication and you lose focus, teams like that punish you with threes and you lose the momentum, regardless of how you were playing before that. We began with pick n' roll defense of Shved, then we changed, we tried to make it more complex, tougher. He scored 36 points, he's an amazing player, he got many shots, however, we did a good job for most part of the game. How much more can you do? When the game seemed lost at the end, the players played with heart. Apart from scoring big threes, I'd say there are other things we did as well. Playing aggressive defense, forcing them to make bad choices, even stealing the ball. All of that put us in a position where we would have chances at winning. We dominated at overtime thanks to our defense. Also, I would like to say that when you go to overtime, what you did in the regulation counts as well. I think Shved was tired during that extra five minutes. As you saw, many players got to work on him".
He went on to say: "It was a great win and I'm truly happy, because this result gives great push and faith in what we've been doing. Before the game, I had said that turnovers and rebounds were going to be very important. We made 11 turnovers, and we also got a little bit unlucky with some calls that should not or should have been made. However, we were compensated at the end. I always say that victory is a team work, but Spanoulis was simply incredible. He made big threes, 10 assists and made some amazing plays. Printezis was very good. But I also want to mention Kostas (Papanikolaou), His spirit, his energy and his ability to bring everyone together are really important. I told him after the game, that with this spirit and attitude, it's hard for Olympiacos to be losing".
Asked what … magic instruction he gave his players during the last minute of the regulations to make the tables turn, he replied: "It's not a psychological thing. During the last time out, I told them we should be aggressive, we need to risk and trap the pick n' rolls. Be aggressive with our defense, lead them to wrong decisions and make quick but correct decisions when attacking. Of course, it's another thing to say it and another thing to do it".
About Shved, how upped his performance to the max after 28', despite having being off target from the free throw line up to that moment, he said: "That's the quality of a player. Missing free throws, despite usually making them and then playing the way he played. What I asked from my players to do was not give him anything for free, neither when he would be getting the ball, nor when he was going to pass, or when he was going to shoot the ball. And that's what happened. It was part of our plan. We expected that we would be getting something out of it at the end. He's a great player. He missed some, he made some, just like the case with our stars is. At some point, I felt that Vassilis needed a minute to rest. I don't know, maybe it helped. He wasn't happy with my decision, but I told him: "There's still a lot of game left and you need to wait. We're going to need this energy later". That's how it felt for me at the time. I also need to take responsibility about something. We tried a lot of different defensive plays and that wasn't easy. At some points, we were giving a lot of help, in others we were sending help to the wrong player and Bertans 'hit' us with threes. At the end we said that we said we were going to switch, because he wasn't shooting that well at the time, and he made his shot with Milutinov's arms extended over him! Twice all the more! What can you say about that?"
As for Wade Baldwin, who although being on the 12 men roster, he did not get to play, he pointed out: "It doesn't have to do with being good or bad. Each time, I try to see who fits with whom. And I mostly see him playing the '2' position, not that of the play maker. So, he needs someone like Rochestie next to him. But then, you need a different rotation. I stuck with the same 11 people rotation, because they were doing good for most part of the game. You win at a certain point and you need Rochestie organizing, Spanoulis was doing well and then I got to use Pauls and I told Papanikolaou he needed to assume more responsibility in carrying the ball. It is certain that there is going to be another game that fits Baldwin better. He has to be ready for the next one. For instance, Koniaris, although he didn't score, he helped us a lot with his defense and right decisions…"