A road win against AEK!
Although ‘hurt’ (played without Vezenkov, Papanikolaou, Printezis and McKissic), Olympiacos was able to return from -16 and secure an important win against AEK (80-74), for the 14th day of the Stoiximan Basket League.
With Livio Jean-Charles spearheading the offense, the ‘reds’ got to lead 5-9 at 5’, however, turnovers and bad decisions in the offense, allowed the hosts to reply with a 9-0 streak and get ahead by 5 (14-9) at 8’. Olympiacos got better with circulating the ball, they passed it inside the paint to Hassan Martin and tied the score 21-21. AEK however regained control (35-27 at 20’) relying on good percentages from the free throw line (9/12 against 3/6 for Olympiacos), but also on their shooting from the perimeter.
With a barrage of threes, AEK established a 16 point distance (55-39) at 27’. The ‘reds’ reacted, became more aggressive with their defense, showed patience when attacking and with Kostas Sloukas and Hassan Martin in the lead, they got ahead 61-58 at 33’. They did stop there though… With Sloukas executing impeccably behind the three point line, Olympiacos reached +8 (65-73) at 38’ and then leaning on solid defense, maintained the distance and got the win.
- Sasha Vezenkov did not play due to tonsillitis.
The quarters: 15-12, 35-27, 58-50, 74-80.
