2/2 in the double-game week

Olympiacos was in danger, but ultimately got past Alba, winning 90-85 in “Peace and Friendship Stadium”, going 2/2 in the double-game week.

Olympiacos started with good offensive rhythm (10-4, 3’). With Evan Fournier leading the way, having scored 7 quick points, but also Moustapha Fall and Kostas Papakanikolaou contributing to the offensive output as well as the defensive part, the Piraeus team took charge early (16-6, 4’). The road team kept finding ways to stay close, taking advantage of our team’s relaxed defense (16-13). A Thomas Walkup three and an “and-one” from Nikola Milutinov gave us a 7 point lead (22-15, 8’), with Alba decreasing the lead from the premier and the period ending at 26-22. In the second quarter, missing shots and ineffective defense allowed an 8-0 run to the German team, which quickly took a 26-28 lead (12’). The Piraeus team responded immediately by tightening up on their defensive duties, with Moustapha Fall being crucial offensively (both in scoring and assisting Shaquielle McKissic) to lead our own 6-0 (38-34, 18’). The team continued to miss from the perimeter and the defensive intensity was not what it needed to be, and so our team was not able to build on their lead, with the half ending 44-41.

The third quarter started with a 8-2 run for Olympiacos and the score being 52-43 (22’). Moustapha Fall continued to contribute offensively in the paint, also playing a key role in the team’s defensive flow (59-50, 25’). Despite that, Alba continuing to take advantage of the relaxed state of the “red and white” defense, always stayed close. Two threes from Luca Vildoza and Evan Fournier pushed the lead to 12 (66-54, 28’), with the quarter ending at +7 (69-62). In the last quarter, the game became close, with Alba showing high levels of focus, contrary to our team’s defensive showing. The visitors kept scoring from distance, tying the game at 78 (35’). With 1:27 remaining for the end of the game, our team was down by 3 (82-85). Evan Fournier asserted himself at that point, initially cutting the deficit to 1 (82-85), and then scoring again following a Luca Vildoza steal, to make it 86-85. Sasha Vezenkov maintained his composure from the free throw line, with the game ending 90-85 and Olympiacos reaching his 11th win in the competition.

Quarters: 26-20, 44-41, 69-62, 90-85