Another win at the OAKA!
Olympiacos bested Panathinaikos at the OAKA 76-74 for the 19th day of the Basket League, in a derby that had no impact on the rankings, since the ‘red & whites’ had practically already secured the first seed that allows for total home court advantage in the playoffs. At this point, Giorgos Bartzokas’ team has a 12-0 record against the ‘greens’!
Only three minutes after the tip-off, Moustapha Fall had already two fouls. Nevertheless, our team was able through its good defense and Isaiah Canaan’s good night to lead 14-8 at 6’. Panathinaikos decided to pay Olympiacos back with the same currency. They struck from the perimeter and running a partial 8-2, they got to get ahead 23-21 at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. But they did not stay in the driver’s seat for long… The ‘red & whites’ put pressure in the defense, Joel Bolomboy won the battle in the post, McKissic, Peters and Larentzakis opened fire from the three point line and our team ‘built’ a +12 lead (33-45) at 19’. The ‘greens’ fought to close in and finally had an 8 point game (38-46) at 20’.
Relying on Canaan and Papanikolaou, Olympiacos regained control (46-56 at 25’), but Panathinaikos pressed a lot in the back court, led our team to bad decisions, dominated rebounding and closed in to one point (58-59) at 30’. Giorgos Bartzokas’ players reacted and created a narrow safety net of 8p. (58-66) at 33’. However, due to their poor shooting percentages, they allowed for Panathinaikos to remain ‘alive’ in the hunt for the win and with a three by Bacon 23.8’’ before the end, they closed in to one point (74-75). McKissic made one of his two free throws, shaping the score to the final 74-76, since during the two last offensive plays (that both went to the ‘greens’, since they got to renew the clock with an offensive rebound), Olympiacos ‘put their money’ in defense and once again won!
The quarters: 21-21, 3 8-46, 58-59, 74-76.
