Fought, but to no avail
Olympiacos came really close to winning in Madrid (was leading by 16), but failed in the end. The ‘reds’ lost in the invincible home of Real Madrid (67-75) and is now turns their full attention on the road game against Baskonia (04/02, 20.30 CET) for the 25th round of the Euroleague.
With Kostas Papanikolaou playing an excellent game and leaning on some real solid defense, Olympiacos succeeded – despite very poor perimeter percentages (1/6) – to close the first quarter at +5 (10-15). The hosts continued being ‘hammered’ by the ‘reds’ defense, when at the same time, Kostas Sloukas and Sasha Vezenkov took action in the offense and sent the difference to +16 (20-36) at 17’. The Madrilène – who had been shooting terribly up to that time (4/13 twos and 4/20 threes), tried to react, but Bartzokas’ players effectively put a stop on their efforts and went to the locker room with +14 (24-38).
However, the ‘reds’ did not get into the second half with the same energy and as clear headed. Gaps in the defense, bad decisions in the offense and missed rebounds allowed the Spanish team to set the tempo and get ahead 55-51 at 32’. Bartzokas’ players though refused to surrender. They put pressure in the defense, found solutions with Sasha Vezenkov and Tyler Dorsey and once again got in the driver’s seat (62-63 at 36’). Up to 39’ the game was a derby (67-65 for the hosts). However, missed threes by Walkup and Dorsey against on target ones by Fernandez and Llull decided the game for Real (73-65).
The quarters: 10-15, 24-38, 50-51, 75-67.
REAL M.
OLYMPIACOS BC
