A huge win in Kazan!
Olympiacos edged Unics in Kazan at overtime 87-84 (77-77 regulation) for the 13th round of the Euroleague, hence recording his 2nd back to back road win!
At the beginning of the game, the hosts took advantage of the ‘reds’ turnovers and ‘built’ a +8 difference (15-8 at 6’). Olympiacos reacted and with Sasha Vezenkov leading the offense, tied the score (20-20 at 11’). But the counter attack did not stop there … With aggressive defense and Kostas Sloukas organizing the game in an exemplary fashion, the ‘reds’ got ahead for the first time (24-29 at 15’).
The Russians closed in at one point (31-32), however, our team – that had been extremely off target when aiming from the 6.75m. line – succeeded to widen the margin to +7 with two back to back threes by Larentzakis and Sloukas (33-40 at 19’). Nevertheless, bad choices and gaps in our defense, allowed Unics to close in to two points (40-42) at the end of the first half.
Kanaan was unstoppable in the second half. The American guard did wonders so as for the Russians to take back the lead (46-42) and consistently maintain it up until 30’ (62-59).
The threes that weren’t going in in the 3rd quarter for the ‘reds’ (they shot 1/10 during that time), went all in in the 4th! With good defensive game and relying on perimeter percentages, Bartzokas’ players once again got in the driver’s seat (66-69 at 33’) and stayed there up until 39’ (72-75). A three by Kanaan tied the score 75-75, with 44’’ on the clock to the end Fall wrote the 75-77, Jekiri once again tied the score 77-77 with 12’’ remaining, however, Dorsey missed target in the last offense taking a shot from behind the three point line and the game went to overtime.
Olympiacos made a strong beginning in the extra time and got to lead by 4 (77-81), but, despite missing on his offensive tempo later in the game, the ‘reds’ exceptional defense allowed them to maintain control. A three by Vezenkov gave the ‘reds a +5 lead (81-86) 30’’ before the end. Kanaan closed in 84-86 with 18’’ to go, while the final 84-87 was written with 1 out of 2 free throws by Sloukas 6.2’’ before the end, since the three Hezonja shot at the buzzer did not go in.
The quarters: 20-17, 40-42, 62-59, 77-77. Παρ: 84-87.
