2 for 2 in the Basket League

Olympiacos bested AEK at the SEF 79-71 and now has 2 wins in 2 games for the Basket League. No fans were allowed in the arena, due to ban imposed last season for conduct unbecoming.

With the known absences (Goss, Sikma, McKissic) and with fatigue from back to back games slowing them down, the ‘red & whites’ were not able to perform up to standards.

AEK got a 4-0 lead, but good defense and a partial 12-2 put Olympiacos in the driver’s seat with a 6p. margin (12-6) at 7’. Relying on Nikola Milutinov and Alec Peters in the front court, they increased the lead to +8 (22-4 at 11’), however, turnovers and missed free throws allowed the guests to return to the game (26-24 at 13’) and follow the score from a close distance up until the end of the first half (36-33).

AEK got ahead with a three from the first time since the beginning of the game at 25’ (46-47), but Alec Peters saw that order was restored (59-52 at 29’). With a bucket by Papanikolaou, the ‘red & whites’ found themselves at +9 (65-54) at 32’, however, unforced turnovers, bad decision making and gaps in the defense allowed AEK to reply with a partial 2-14 and get ahead 67-68 at 36’.

The game remained a derby up until 37’ (69-69). At that point though, with three back to back threes - Larentzakis, Walkup and Canaan – and one free throw by Larentzakis, Olympiacos gave his own answer running a partial 10-0 (76-69) and put an end to the battle for the win.   

The quarters: 16-12, 36-33, 59-54, 79-71.