Royalty bowed…
The ‘red and white’ train sped through Madrid non stop! Olympiacos bested Real 89-87 and remains undefeated!
Relying on good percentages by the perimeter, the hosts got ahead in the score from the tip off and remained in the driver’s seat up until 6’ (15-11). With a good defensive game and Walkup, Vezenkov and Fall leading the offense, the ‘red & white’ attacked back and running a partial 9-1 got the lead for the first time (16-20). Real however, was moving the ball superbly and continued executing with high percentages from the three point line, hence regaining control (38-31 at 27’). Olympiacos though did not give up. Through their defensive game, the team ran the fast break and forced a one point game (38-37) by the end of the first half with Sasha Vezenkov.
The 3rd quarter was a derby. The Madrilène consistently maintained a small lead (52-49 at 25’), Olympiacos got ahead with McKissic (57-59 at 28’), and Olympiacos was also the one to close the 3rdquarter in the lead, thanks to bucket by Sloukas at the buzzer (62-63). Relying on long range shooting, Real once again got ahead (81-75 at 36’), however, Bartzokas’ players were quick with their reaction. Putting up a … granite wall and with Bolomboy and Sloukas taking center stage, they replied with a partial 10-2 gaining a +2 lead (83-85 at 39’). Llull and Sloukas both did good with their respective free throws, while they were the same ones to decide what happened next. Llull tied the score 87-87 with a lay-up, while 3’’ before the final buzzer it was Sloukas that wrote the final 87-89, also with a lay-up! Tavares shoot in time to tie the score, but missed.
The quarters: 21-20, 38-37, 62-63, 87-89.
