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bwin FMS Τράπεζα Πειραιώς

Written on . Posted in Games.

Α 2-0 sweep and now off to the Final 4

Olympiacos dominated AEK away (90-64), securing a spot in the championship finals, and now shifts focus to the Final Four.

Despite missing the injured Nigel Williams-Goss, Kostas Papanikolaou, Evan Fournier, and Thomas Walkup (rested), Olympiacos doubled their wins over AEK and now prepares for Abu Dhabi.

Our team started strong at the Sunel Arena. A three-pointer by Sasha Vezenkov, a block by Moustapha Fall, and two points from Naz Mitrou-Long made it 5-0. Vezenkov led the offense, extending the lead to 10-4 (2') and sparking an 11-0 run for Olympiacos (18-4, 4'). AEK responded with a 9-0 run (18-13, 6'), capitalizing on poor offensive decisions and resulting defensive lapses. The yellow-and-black streak ended with a basket and foul by Vezenkov, followed by Shaquielle McKissic contributing offensively (25-17, 8'), with the quarter ending at 27-19.

The second quarter opened with a three-pointer by Alec Peters (30-19), and Giannoulis Larentzakis followed suit shortly after (34-21, 13'). However, lacking good ball movement, Olympiacos conceded a 7-0 run, allowing AEK to close the gap (34-28). Fall, Larentzakis, and Vezenkov scored to keep the lead (42-34, 18'), and the first half ended 42-39.

Naz Mitrou-Long starred in Olympiacos’ 9-0 run at the start of the third quarter (51-40, 22'). With more intensity on defense, the team limited AEK to just 11 points in the period and controlled the pace, scoring from the perimeter with Peters and Saben Lee to push the lead to +15 (62-47). The quarter ended 63-50.

Five points from Peters, a tough off-balance three by Larentzakis, and two free throws from Lee extended the lead to +19 (73-54, 33') early in the final period. Olympiacos entered the last four minutes up by 21 (78-57) and remained focused (86-62, 38'), making the final possessions a formality. With 1:48 left, Giorgos Bournelelis and Stefanos Spartalis entered the court, and the Greek center scored to make it 90-62 before the game ended 90-64.

Olympiacos thus secured an away victory over AEK and a ticket to the championship finals.

The quarters: 27-19, 42-39, 63-50, 90-64

Notes:

  • Nigel Williams-Goss is dealing with tendinitis.
  • Kostas Papanikolaou suffered a knee knock in practice (knee-to-knee contact).
  • Evan Fournier is still troubled by the issue he had during the series against Real Madrid.