«Neophytos Chandriotis»: Οlympiacos – CSKA 68-85

Olympiacos did not succeed in getting in winning result during the last day of the international “Neophytos Chandriotis” tournament, losing to CSKA 68-85.

During the first nine minutes of the game, the ‘reds’ were MIA in regard to their offense. Poor ball circulation, terrible shooting percentages and defensive gaps, allowed the Russian team to thoroughly impose the tempo and ‘build’ a +19 margin (2-21 at 9’).

Olympiacos continued sparely scoring and the Army’s team widened the berth even further (+22, 9-31 at 15’). It was somewhere at that point that the Bartzokas’ players started getting into rhythm. The pressed in the back court and despite the good shooting percentages CSKA was exhibiting from the perimeter, they succeeded in closing in to 13 points with Sasha Vezenkov and Hassan Martin running point (28-41 at 20’).   

A partial 11-3 by the Russians ‘skyrocketed’ the difference to +21 (31-52) at 24’. The ‘reds’ reacted and ‘striking’ from the three point line got as close as 12 points (44-56 at 26’), CSKA’s reflexes though were spot on and the third quarter ended 66-49.

The ‘reds’ did not quit the fight though… They continued pressing in the defense, moved the ball as needed and running a partial 11-2 closed in at 8p. (60-68 at 34’). But it was as far as they could go… CSKA relied heavily on its shooting from the perimeter, regained complete control and hence won the game.

The quarters: 5-23, 28-41, 49-66, 68-85.