Bent Larissa’s resistance and is now preparing for the playoffs!
Olympiacos beat Larissa at the SEF 93-84, for the 22nd day of the Stoiximan Basket League and is now training its full focus on the Euroleague playoffs against Monaco.
The ‘reds’ were missing the game’s beat in the first quarter. Gaps in the backcourt and bad decisions in the offense, allowed Larissa (that had been shooting quite well from the perimeter) to get a +8 difference (16-24 at 8’). The guests were consistently controlling the tempo and with Hudson spearheading the offense, they found themselves even at +13 (24-37 at 14’). However, the simultaneous presence of Kostas Sloukas and Michalis Lountzis on the floor changed the outlook… Olympiacos found offensive solutions with the two guards, improved on defense, Hassan Martin won his battles under the rims and slowly but steadily overturned the course of the game (46-44 at 20’).
The 3rd quarter though was a totally different story… Bartzokas’ players played with energy, put pressure in the defense, “struck” from the 6.75m., as well as in the transition and sent the difference skyrocketing to 21p. (73-52 at 27’). They weren’t able nevertheless to maintain the same tempo, making a lot of turnovers which Larissa ‘punished’ closing in to 7p. (86-79) at 38’. Even in that situation though, the solution was provided by the defense, as well as by Sasha Vezenkov who returned on the floor and with a three (89-79) at 39’ practically sealed the win.
*Kostas Papanikolaou did not participate the rotation.
The quarters: 20-25, 46-44, 75-58, 93-84.
