Olympiacos delivered a magical performance in a packed SEF, comfortably defeating Real Madrid 102–88 to reach 24 wins in the EuroLeague and is now alone at the top of the standings. With this victory, Olympiacos also mathematically secured qualification for the EuroLeague Playoffs.
Although Evan Fournier played only 5 minutes due to stomach issues, Olympiacos had Tyler Dorsey and Sasha Vezenkov on an incredible night, as they scored 63 (!) of the team’s 102 points and also secured the point difference over Real Madrid. All the more, Dorsey set a EuroLeague record in points (37) and Performance Index Rating (43).
Giorgios Bartzokas started the game with Walkup, Dorsey, Papanikolaou, Vezenkov, and Milutinov, and his starting lineup immediately justified him. Olympiacos opened the game with a 10-point lead in the first three minutes (12–2), with Vezenkov and Milutinov attacking effectively.
Sergio Scariolo was forced to call a timeout, and his players reduced the deficit led by Tavares. However, that’s when Tyler Dorsey’s 3-point shooting show began. The international guard made 3/3 three-pointers in about a minute, while a three from Sasha Vezenkov pushed the lead to its highest point (+15, 27–12).
Olympiacos finished the first quarter at +12 (31–19), with Vezenkov and Dorsey already in double digits.
Unlike the first quarter, Olympiacos saw Real dominate early in the second one. Trey Lyles responded to Dorsey’s shooting spree and, with 4/5 threes, gave his team a +3 lead (35–38 in the 15th minute). Edy Tavares, returning to the court, won several battles against Donta Hall, and Real seemed in control at that point.
Bartzokas brought back his main lineup (except Papanikolaou) about 4' before halftime, and Vezenkov and Dorsey quickly responded, while Shaquielle McKissic was excellent on both ends. The two offensive leaders continued producing, and Olympiacos went into halftime with a +7 lead (49–42).
In the second half, it felt like a repetition of the first quarter. Dorsey and Vezenkov did whatever they wanted against Real’s defense, and with consecutive scoring, Olympiacos built a 16-point lead (65–49) midway through the 3rd quarter. Remarkably, out of the team’s 72 points by 30', Vezenkov and Dorsey had scored 51.
In the final stretch, Bartzokas started with Joseph, McKissic, Ward, Peters, and Hall, and the 'red & whites' were dominant on both ends. Peters, Ward, and McKissic scored from the perimeter, while Donta Hall dominated Tavares, setting the arena on fire.
In the second half of the fourth quarter, Dorsey and Vezenkov returned, and with a three-pointer by Dorsey, Olympiacos extended the lead beyond 20 points (92–70 in the 36th minute). The two capped off their unbelievable performance, scoring a combined 63 of the team’s 102 points, as Olympiacos secured the win 102–88 and remained alone at the top.
The quarters: 31–19, 49–42, 72–57, 102–88.
