Lost, but returns to Piraeus with home court advantage

Olympiacos fought, but did not succeed in getting one more win on the road. The team lost to Barcelona 69-77 and now the series gets transfered to Piraeus with the goal being to get the two wins that will give our team the ticket to the Berlin Final 4. 

The 'red & whites' weren't able to fully exploit on the impressive start Alec Peters did offense wise (he scored 10p. in the first quarter). The led 9-10 (at 5'), however, they got to pay next for a not solid defense and bad shooting from the perimeter (2/12), having to watch Barcleona building (following a partial 18-5) a +13 lead (27-14) at 10'. With Moses Wright and Shaquielle McKissic taking center stage, Olympiacos got as close as to 4p. (34-30 at 15'), but the Spanish team replied with a 7-0 of their won and increased their distance to 11p. (41-30). Finally, with some good defensive plays and despite some naive mistakes, our team closed into 6p. (43-37), following the conclusion of the first half.  

The Blaugrana began the 3rd quarter with a 5-0 streak and were once again at +11 (48-37). Bartzokas' plyers however, put pressure in the back court, moved the ball and with Nigel Williams-Goss spearheading the offense, they got ahead at 27' (54-53). The hosts regained the lead (60-47 at 30'), while the 4th quarter began with the worst of omens for the 'red & whites', since before even a minute was played, Goss and Canaan had to be benched since they had four fouls each (the former had also received a technical). As if that wasn't enough, Olympiacos 'short-circuited' score wise and under the pressing defense the Spaniards were playing, they lost the rebounds, made a lot of turnovers and saw Barcelona opening fire from the perimeter and sending the difference sky-high to 12p. (76-64 at 37'). The 'red & whties' made a final effort to come back (76-69 at 38'), but it wasn't a successful one. 

The quarters: 27-14, 43-37, 60-57, 77-69.

BARCELONA

OLYMPIACOS