Returning to winning!
Olympiacos bested Partizan at the overtime 98-94 (85-85 at 40’) for the 4th round of the Euroleague, despite missing three players due to injuries, but having his fans by his side!
Giorgos Bartzokas saw Ignas Brazdeikis (left knee tendonitis) and Luke Sikma (left Achilles tendon inflammation) getting knocked out, in addition to the de facto absence of the injured Shaquielle McKissic.
Despite the fact that Moustapha Fall and then Nikola Milutinov were able to cause foul troubles for the big men of Partizan and completely dominated the post, the game was a derby up until 8’ (21-20). However, with pressing defense and Giannoulis Larentzakis and Nigel Williams-Goss spearheading the offence, Olympiacos succeeded with a partial 8-1 to lead with +7 for the first time in the game (28-21) at 10’.
Isaiah Canaan opened fire, Nikola Milutinov was dominant in the paint and Olympiacos furthered the distance to 12p. (43-31). The ‘red & whites’ consistently maintained their distance (49-39) up until 19’, but they lost touch with the basket in the last minute of the first half and saw Partizan closing in to 6p. (49-43).
They also appeared to be disoriented in the second half as well. Bad choices when attacking the basket, turnovers and gaps in their defense, allowed the Serbs – who found scoring from long range – to turn the tables and built a +14 lead (53-67) at 28’.
The ‘red & whites’ reacted put pressure in defense (69-73 at 33’ and 73-75 at 36’), but Kevin Punter was unstoppable and kept Partizan consistently in the driver’s seat. With three free throws by Larentzakis, Olympiacos tied the score 79-79. The guests got ahead with a three by Smailagic, however, running a partial 6-0 with Papanikolaou and Larentzakis, Olympiacos got ahead with 3p. (85-82) with 7.7’’ for the end. But they weren’t able to seal the win… Partizan tied the score with Nunally (85-85) and sent the game to overtime.
Nikola Milutinov dominated under both baskets, but the game remained a derby up until the 4th minute of the overtime (91-91). With 1 for 2 free throws by the Serbian center and a lay-up by Goss 17’’ before the end, Olympiacos got a +3 lead (94-91). Abramovic closed in 94-93 from the free throw line, Larentzakis made the score 96-93 and Abramovic with one free throw made a two point game (96-94) with 5.7’’ on the clock. Olympiacos put all his money in defense, Walkup grabbed the offensive rebound, ‘won’ a foul from Nunally and with 2 for 2 free throws decided the outcome.
The quarters: 28-21, 49-43, 59-69, 85-85. Παρ.: 98-94
OLYMPIACOS
PARTIZAN
