Home court advantage secured in Patras!

Olympiacos bested Apollon in Patras 94-68 and sealed first seed for the Stoiximan Basket League’s regular season, meaning home court advantage for the ‘reds’ from the beginning to the end of the playoffs.

The ‘reds’ made a lukewarm beginning in the game and were not able at any point in the first quarter to take their lead above 5p. (11-16 at 8’). That changed though in the second quarter… Giorgos Bartzokas’ players put pressure in the defense, moved the ball correctly and with Giannoulis Larentzakis and Sasha Vezenkov spearheading the offense, they sent the difference to +16 (25-41 at 17’). From there on, with Vezenkov making an excellent game and coming really close to a double – double (10p., 9 reb.), our team completely controlled the game and closed the first half at +12 (36-48).

Bartzokas’ players came in even stronger in the second half… Their defense was solid, they ran the fast-break and increased the difference to 23p. (50-73 at 29’). In the last quarter, the game became more free style, the tempo went up and with it up went the difference in favor of Olympiacos (+29, 45-94 at 39’), that allowed for the win with characteristic ease.

* Shaquielle McKissic was left off rotation.

The quarters: 16-19, 36-48, 52-73, 68-94.