A win over PAOK and still undefeated
Olympiacos bested PAOK 86-68, for the 7th day of the Stoiximan Basket League, and remains undefeated in this season’s League.
PAOK took advantage of the sluggish beginning, as well as the bad perimeter percentages of the ‘reds’ and got a difference of +4 (15-19 at 8’). The guests closed the first quarter leading 21-20, while relying on zone defense – that caused quite a few problems for our team’s defense – kept a small lead (29-30) up until 14’.
The simultaneous presence of Kostas Sloukas and Michalis Lountzis on the floor was of substantial help, so that Olympiacos got to move the ball better and running a partial 9-0 gained a +8 lead (38-30). However, the Thessaloniki team gave an immediate response and ‘striking’ mainly from behind the three point line, tied the game 38-38. The 41-38, which was the final score of the first half, was written with a three by Shaquielle McKissic.
The ‘reds’ improved on their defense on a big scale into the second half and despite shooting rather off target during the first minutes of the 3rd quarter, they succeeded – when they found target from the perimeter – to skyrocket the difference to 17p. (64-47 at 28’).
With a partial 2-9 run, PAOK closed in at 10p. (66-56 at 34’). Larentzakis ‘broke’ the five minute offensive silence of Olympiacos with a three (69-56), but PAOK continued pressing and succeeded to get as close as to 7p. (73-66 at 37’).
But that was as far as they went… Kostas Sloukas, Hassan Martin and Giorgos Printezis took over and Olympiacos regained complete control (84-67 at 39’). The final 86-68 came by the hands of our captain, Giorgos Printezis.
The quarters: 20-21, 41-38, 66-52, 86-68.
