A winning premiere at the OAKA! (vid)
Olympiacos expanded his winning streak over Panathinaikos, since they beat the ‘greens’ in a packed OAKA 88-78 for the Euroleague premiere and is now counting 18 wins in their last 19 encounters!
Relying on their good long range percentages, Olympiacos got to lead 14-10 at 6’ and closed the first quarter in the driver’s position mainly thanks to Nikola Milutinov’s dominance in both posts (22-23 at 10’). However, in just only 40’’ from the start of the second quarter, the Serbian center had made 2 fouls and given the absence of the injured Moustapha Fall, coach Bartzokas was forced to bench him. Despite the fact that Luke Sikma fought hard playing the ‘5’ position, Panathinaikos was able, scoring mainly from the free throw line (13/15 against 1/1 for Olympiacos in the first half), to build a 10p. lead (39-29) at 17’. With Isaiah Canaan taking initiative, our team was able to close in 43-36 at 20’.
In the second half, the ‘red & whites’ attacked from the perimeter and closed in to one point (53-52) at 27’, however, poor decision making and turnovers allowed the ‘greens’ to breathe and build a 7p. margin (59-52) at 30’. Olympiacos however was quick to react. With Milutinov (he played the whole 20’ of the second half plus the extra 5’ of overtime), Goss and Peters as the main protagonists, they ran a partial 12-0 and succeeded in leading 59-63 at 34’. The game became a first class derby, with Grigonis making two back to back threes and giving the ‘greens’ the lead once again (72-69 at 38’). Olympiacos tied the game 74-74 with Peters in the last minute of the game and had the chance to win it following Walkup forcing Sloukas to an offensive foul, but he then missed his own attempt at a three pointed. Goss forced Lessort into turning the ball over, but the ‘red & whites’ did not succeed at ‘finishing’ the game. Walkup missed in an attempt for a 2-pointer, while Sloukas’ shot from the three point line at the buzzer did not go in.
Things were simple in the overtime though… Playing a superb defensive game, with a magnificent Goss and an unrelenting Milutinov, Olympiacos completely dominated the game and got the big win.
The quarters: 22-23, 43-36, 59-52, 74-74. Παρ: 78-88.
PANATHINAIKOS
OLYMPIACOS
