Playoffs clinched!

Olympiacos bested Zalgiris in Kaunas 74-72 and ‘sealed’ the ticket to the Euroleague playoffs!

The ‘red & whites’ were leading 7-2 at 3’, but Zalgiris used their perimeter percentages to quickly balance the game and closed the first quarter at +2 (17-15). Consistently striking from the perimeter, the Lithuanians – that absolutely also dominated rebounding 21-9 – got to lead by 6p. (29-23) at 15’. However, the excellent defense by Olympiacos (that forced them to commit 13 turnovers in the first half) combined with Shaquielle McKissic finally engaging in offence, resulted in our team turning the tables, and running a partial 17-5 to close the first half at +6 (34-40).

During the first three minutes of the second half, Olympiacos seemed to be lacking focus, which the hosts took advantage of and closed in to one point (39-40). However, playing some really solid defense and with Sasha Vezenkov and Moustapha fall taking center stage, the ‘red & whites’ imposed the tempo and ‘built’ a +14 lead (45-59) at 28’. Zalgiris however did not give up the fight… They swept our team into their ‘crazy’ rhythm, they put a lot of pressure in defense, once again opened fire from the three point line and managed to get ahead 72-70 at 39’. With 2/3 free throws, Shaquielle McKissic tied the game 72-72, Ulanovas sent his shot way out of target under the asphyxiating defense Larentzakis was playing on him, and Sasha Vezenkov practically decided the game 6’’ before the final buzzer (74-72). The hosts has one more chance at winning, but Ulanovas threw that away as well, again succumbing to the tight defense of his opponent.

The quarters: 17-15, 34-40, 49-61, 72-74.

Zalgiris BC

Olympiacos BC