Grit!
Despite being without Thomas Walkup, Keenan Evans, Evan Fournier, and Shaquielle McKissic (injury list), Olympiacos defeated Panathinaikos 90 - 86 at a packed SEF arena, in the first “eternal rivals” derby of the new season.
Olympiacos started with intensity on defense in the opening possessions (4-1, 2'), but was hurt by poor defensive transition (4-7), a result of rushed offensive decisions. Tyler Dorsey hit the ‘red & whites’ first three-pointer (1/5), while Sasha Vezenkov stepped up offensively to provide solutions (16-14, 8'). Poor three-point shooting and turnovers led to an 18-21 score at the end of the first quarter.
Tyson Ward and Alec Peters hit threes at the start of the second quarter (24-23), with the American forward adding points (29-27, 13'). Poor offensive choices and weak defensive reactions allowed Panathinaikos to find rhythm and go on an 11-0 run, punishing from the perimeter (32-44). Tyler Dorsey and Sasha Vezenkov managed to slow down the Greens (36-44, 18'), and the entrance of Giannoulis Larentzakis brought more grit on defense. Olympiacos responded with an 11-4 run to reduce the gap. The first half ended with Sasha Vezenkov receiving the ball from the inbounds pass, running the full court, and scoring a buzzer-beater three to make it 43-48 at halftime.
With more patience on offense, Olympiacos - led by Nikola Milutinov and Tyson Ward - cut the deficit to one point (52 - 53, 23'). The ‘red & whites’ increased their defensive intensity, looked for more rational offensive options, and took the lead after a Dorsey three-pointer, a block by Tyson Ward, and a basket by Vezenkov (58-57). The game remained close, with the lead changing hands, but Olympiacos found its rhythm and, with four consecutive unanswered points by Vezenkov, closed the quarter ahead 68 - 67.
Two solid defensive efforts and back-to-back baskets by Tyler Dorsey gave Olympiacos a five-point cushion early in the final period (72 - 67). The international guard either scored or fed Donta Hall, who delivered two dunks for 76 - 70 (34'). Saben Lee provided solutions, and Vezenkov followed up with a crucial put-back to make it 82–81 with two minutes remaining. The Serbian center (Milutinov), fighting alone in the paint, made it 86 - 84, while Frank Ntilikina, with a personal play 28’’ before the end, gave the team a four-point lead (88-84). Tyler Dorsey remained calm at the free-throw line, the final defensive stand was successful, and Olympiacos claimed victory with a 90-86 win in the first derby of the season in the Basket League.
The quarters: 18-21, 43-48, 68-67, 90-86.
