Across from “G. Karaiskakis”, in the SEF, Giorgos Bartzokas’ players laid the foundations for their great victory, 74-69 over Virtus Bologna, in the 3rd period (according to their favorite habit this year), in the context of the 28th game of the Euroleague. A 5th consecutive victory for Olympiakos in the tournament!
Keeping the company of Sengelia, Belinelli, Hackett and Duston to 5 points in the 3rd quarter and with “hot” 3-pointers from Papanikolaou and Keinaan, he made it 20-5, thanks to which he escaped with 57-51 in the 30th minute. In addition to Fall (11 points, 6 points), Wright and Petrusev were decisive in the racket in the 4th period, while McKissick and Peters with “three-pointers” allowed Olympiacos to get not only the victory, but also the difference (Virtus had won 69-67 in Bologna), to have the upper hand in the tie.
What if his best player, Tomas Walkup, was absent, as well as Giannoulis Larentzakis and Nikola Miloutinov? What if Williams-Goss and Naz Mitrou-Long entered for the first time since their injuries without actually being ready to compete? Again, teamwork… showed the way, the gaps were covered and now Olympiacos is tied with 17 wins – 11 losses with Virtus and… sees four.
With Olympiakos captain Kostas Papanikolaou leading the way with 16 points (3/5 three-pointers and 8 rebounds). Keinaan adding 12 (3/7 three-pointers), McKissick also playing in the “ace” and scoring 8 points, as much as Alec Peters.
From Bologna, Tornice Sengelia not only played (he was doubtful) but also emerged as the leading scorer with 15 points. Belinelli and Hackett each added 10 points.
The quarters: 21-22, 37-46, 57-51, 74-69
In the absence of Tomas Walkap, Bartzokas started Luntzis in the “ace”, with Keinaan, Papanikolaou, Peters and Fall completing the starting five of Olympiakos. Hackett, Cordinier, Belinelli, Mickey and Dunston started for Virtus.
Virtus got the better of the attack compared to Olympiakos, leading with 2-6 from Belinelli in the perimeter and Dunston in the racket and then 6-12, from Hackett and Belinelli three-pointers. The “red and white” had an immediate reaction, thanks to a three-pointer and a shot by Keinaan, for 12-12 thanks to Papanikolaou. Bartzokas dropped Williams-Goss in place of Luntzis. American forward Jordan Mickey scored consecutive points and Olympiacos was chasing (14-19). Banky dropped Sengelia and Zizic on the floor, retiring Mickey and Dunston to the bench. Hitting the racket, with Fal and Petrusev, however, the Piraeus team lost a point (18-19). Although Dobrich was accurate in three (18-22), the positive in this 1st period Isaiah Keinaan (9 points with 2/3 three-pointers) kept Olympiakos within a breathing distance (21-22). For Virtus, 7 points and 3 rebounds were Belinelli’s harvest, while 5 points were scored by Hackett and Miki.
Olympiacos entered the 2nd period with Williams-Goss, McKissick, Brazdeikis, Petrusev and Wright. But, with Cordinier handing out one assist after another and Sengelia, Dobrindz, Lundberg and Zizic “piercing” the “red and white” defense, Virtus managed to lead throughout the 2nd period. After 23-28, the Italians escaped with +8 (24-32). Mitrou-Long came on for Luntzis, but no matter how hard Barzoka’s players tried, their opponent played with speed and was clearly more efficient. Pazzola put Virtus at +9 (28-37). And after Belinelli’s three-pointer and Sengelia’s two-pointer, Virtus reached +9 again (34-43). The former player of Olympiakos, Daniel Hackett, shot the difference to +12 for Virtus (34-46). In the 20” before the end of the first part, the captain of Olympiakos, Kostas Papanikolaou, was on target for three (37-46), which was also the halftime score. The Piraeus team had 9 errors (4 by Virtus), while the Italians were superior in assists (7-13) and steals (2-6).
For… the umpteenth time this year, Olympiacos presented… another “face” in the 3rd period… thanks to its defense! The players of Bartzokas started the second half with 13-0 and from -9 they were +4 (50-46). The trigger had been given by the captain of Olympiakos, Kostas Papanikolaou with a three-pointer. In other words, just as the 2nd period “ended”… that’s how the 3rd period began. And closing the corridors in Virtus, the “red and white” found a rhythm in the attack as well. Fal’s basket followed and Keinaan “armed” again behind the three-point line (45-46). Alec Peters made it 48-46 with a three-pointer and Williams-Goss made it 50-46. Virtus had gone without a point for more than 5 minutes. There were precisely 4:31 left in the 3rd quarter when Hackett scored his team’s first point from the free throw line after a McKissick foul. Only 5 points (2 by Hackett, 3 by Sengelia) were scored by the Italians throughout the 3rd period for 57-51 at the 30th minute.
Moses Wright took Ande Zizic’s 4th foul and with 2/2 shots kept Olympiakos at +6 (59-53). He stole the ball in the very next attack of Virtus to go forward alone and leave the ball in the basket (61-53). Filip Petrusev led Olympiakos to +10 (63-53), McKissick answered Sengelia and Miki (65-57) with a three-pointer (68-57). Virtus… played everything for the reversal, managed to get close to -4 (71-67) at 35”, with Alec Peters putting an end to her… dreams, with a three-pointer at 16” (74-67). Lundberg cut to 74-69.
Referees: Roca (Portugal), Perez (Spain), Petek (Slovenia)
OLYMPIAKOS (Giorgos Bartzokas): Williams-Goss 6, Wright 4, Kenaan 12 (3), Lountzis, Mitrou-Long, Fall 11, Papanikolaou 16 (3), Brazdeikis 2, Peters 8 (1), Petrusef 7, Sikma, McKissick 8 (1)
BOLOGNA VIRTUES (Luca Banki): Cordinier, Lundberg 6, Belinelli 10 (2), Pazzola 6 (2), Dobrich 5 (1), Sengelia 15, Hackett 10 (2), Miki 7, Zizic 4, Dunston 2, Abbas 4
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