This year’s second Greek derby of the Euroleague was painted red, just like the first: Olympiacos-Panathinaikos 71-65, in the midst of delirium from 14,000 spectators at the Stadium of Peace and Friendship.
Panathinaikos suffocated the peripherals of the “red and whites” and took a 7-17 lead in the quarter, with two three-pointers by Kendrick Nan and forward Dino Mitoglou. Olympiacos quickly got back into the game with Moses Wright as the star: 20-21 and 33-33 at halftime, with baskets from Brazdeikis, Fal.
The hosts started the second half with a 12-2 run and escaped for the first time: 45-35 with back-to-back baskets by Alec Peters and a three-pointer by Kostas Papanikolaou. Panathinaikos got within striking distance again, 48-47, with 9 unanswered points by Nan, who hit a “four-pointer”, a three-pointer and a nail in order. Shaquille McKissick made it 55-49, Dinos Mitoglou reduced the score to 61-59 with a three-pointer, but the unrestrained Wright brought Olympiacos to the unassailable (69-62).
Now, the two Greek teams are tied with a record of 18-11, together with Fenerbahce, and are in the top six of the standings.
Tomas Walkup returned from his injury, played 27 minutes and finished the game with 4 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals, while Giannoulis Larentzakis was left out of the lineup. Nigel Williams-Goss played undrafted and scored 7 points. Moses Wright was the leader of Olympiakos with 19 points and 9/9 two-pointers. Giorgos Bartzokas also used Mitrou-Long, Kanaan 3, McKissick 6, Brazdeikis 3, Papanikolaou 9, Peters 11, Petrusef 4, Fal 5.
Kostas Slukas, who was booed, scored 7 points in his old “home”. Dinos Mitoglou had 11 points and 16 rebounds, while Kendrick Nunn had 17 points and 7 turnovers. Ergin Ataman also used Grant 8, Grigonis 7, Papapetrou 2, Hernangometh, Lessor 11, Balcherovski 2. The injured Vildosa, K. Antetokounmpo were also absent this time. The team owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos followed the mission of Panathinaikos to SEF.
Next week, Olympiacos will face Efes (away) and Villerban (home), while Panathinaikos will face Red Star (Belgrade) and Barcelona (OAKA). There are six games left in the regular season.
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