Paid the cost for a terrible fourth quarter
Olympiacos failed in his mission in Istanbul. The team suffered an offensive collapse in the 4th quarter and lost to the European Champion Anadolu Efes 88-69, for the 10th round of the Euroleague.
Now, Giorgos Bartzokas and his players train all their focus on the Friday home game (19/11) against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
With six back to back points by Beaubois, the hosts found themselves leading by 6 p (6-0) with … hello. Olympiacos showed immediate reaction and with Sasha Vezenkov and Mustapha Fall leading the way, turned the tables running a partial 16-4 (10-16 at 6’).
Micic and especially Beaubois (who closed the first half having scored 20p.) continued being a menace to the ‘reds’ defense. However, very good offensive operations and facilitation (Bartzokas’ players dished 14 assists in the first part) kept our team standing…
Leaning on his big men duo, Printezis and Martin, Olympiacos kept leading up until 15’ (32-36). Efes got ahead with a three by Beaubois (40-38), while the 44-44, which was the score that marked the end of the first half, came to be following a buzzer beater dunk by McKissic in the fast break!
Taking advantage of turnovers and subpar defensive performance of the ‘reds’ , the Turkish team ‘struck’ from the perimeter and got a +7 difference (56-49) at 5’. Olympiacos reacted and with Fall and Walkup stepping up tied the game 63-63 at 29’, while Sasha Vezenkov was the one to deny the hosts the chance to close the 3rd quarter with more than a two point lead (68-66).
The ‘reds’ though, completely collapsed in terms of their offense in the fourth quarter. They only scored one point in seven minutes, during which time the hosts built a +14 margin (81-67) and practically sealed the victory.
The quarters: 23-25, 44-44, 68-66, 88-69.
