Ηταν πίσω στο σκορ για περισσότερο από 31 λεπτά, όμως άλλαξε εντελώς την εικόνα του στην άμυνα, συνέχισε αποτελεσματικά στην επίθεση και νίκησε τη Ζαλγκίρις στο Κάουνας ο Ολυμπιακός!
Οι Πειραιώτες είχαν μία πάρα πολύ προβληματική εικόνα αμυντικά για 20 λεπτά, άφηναν τους Λιθουανούς να πυροβολούν ασταμάτητα από το τρόποντο και έβλεπαν τον Φρανσίσκο να… οργιάζει, αλλά παρουσιάστηκαν εντελώς διαφορετικοί μετά την ανάπαυλα .
Γουόκαπ και Παπανικολάου βοήθησαν πάρα πολύ και… έδωσαν ουσία στους 24 πόντους του Βεζένκοφ και τους 14 του Φουρνιέ. Σπουδαία καλάθια πέτυχε και ο Σακίλ ΜακΚίσικ,σε σημεία – κλειδιά,με τον Αμερικανό να ολοκληρώνει το ματς με 17 πόντους.
Στο 13-6 το ρεκόρ της ομάδας του Γιώργου Μπαρτζώκα, που κοιτά από την πρώτη θέση όλες τις άλλες ομάδες της EuroLeague.
Αδιανόητος Φρανσίσκο, αδικαιολόγητη άμυνα
Συγκλονιστικό ήταν το πρώτο ημίχρονο για τους γηπεδούχους, που ολοκλήρωσαν το πρώτο μισό του αγώνα με 11/17 τρίποντα.Ο φοβερός Φρανσίσκο έφτασε τους 20 πόντους, ενώ ο Ολυμπιακός δεν έπαιρνε παρά ελάχιστα από τα «βαριά του όπλα». Στην πρώτη περίοδο ξεχώρισε ο Γουόκαπ και στη δεύτερη ο ΜακΚίσικ.
Με το Κάουνας να δίνει τον ρυθμό, η Ζαλγκίρις έβαλε πάρα πολύ δύσκολα από πάρα πολύ νωρίς. Εξαιρετική από μακριά, στο γνωστό της επίπεδο στην άμυνα και πριν το τηλεοπτικό τάιμ άουτ η διαφορά είχε φτάσει στους 10 .
Με ένα σερί μετά το τάιμ άουτ, όμως, ο Ολυμπιακός έκανε το -10, -2 (18-16), υποχρεώνοντας τη Ζαλγκίρις σε πολλά λάθη στην επίθεση.Στο 22-18 ολοκληρώθηκε η περίοδος, με τον Γουόκαπ να είναι ο ηγέτης της «ερυθρόλευκης» επίθεσης με 8 πόντους.
Παρότι ο Ολυμπιακός μείωσε στο καλάθι με την έναρξη του περιόδου, μέσω κλεψίματος/καρφώματος από τον ΜακΚίσικ, η διαφορά πήγε στους οκτώ μέσα στο επόμενο λεπτό, με τον Λόνι Γουόκερ να πετυχαίνει το δεύτερο έμμεσο τετράποντο της Ζαλγκίρις. Σε δευτερόλIn a thrilling EuroLeague matchup, Zalgiris Kaunas showcased their offensive prowess, defeating Olympiakos with a final score of 82-74. Despite the absence of key players like Evan Fournier and Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiakos fought back multiple times, narrowing the gap to just four points. However, Zalgiris consistently responded with remarkable three-point shooting, extending their lead to as much as 12 points at halftime.The game highlighted the resilience of both teams, but ultimately, Zalgiris’s relentless scoring secured them the victory, marking a important win on the road.In a thrilling EuroLeague matchup, Olympiakos staged a remarkable comeback against Zalgiris, overcoming a late deficit to secure a 80-71 victory. After trailing for most of the game, Olympiakos finally took the lead with a daring three-pointer from McKissic, marking their first advantage in over 31 minutes. The team surged ahead, extending their lead to nine points and stifling Zalgiris’s scoring opportunities for nearly five minutes. Despite a late push from the Lithuanian side, including a crucial three-pointer from Walkup, Olympiakos maintained control, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess on the court. This victory not only boosts Olympiakos’s standings but also highlights their potential as serious contenders in the league.In a thrilling EuroLeague matchup, Olympiacos secured a hard-fought victory against Zalgiris Kaunas, showcasing their resilience despite some early mistakes.The Piraeus team initially struggled, allowing Zalgiris to rally with a quick 5-0 run that brought them back into contention. However, Olympiacos tightened their defense, and key player sasha Vezenkov stepped up, sinking crucial free throws in the final moments to seal the win. This victory not only boosts Olympiacos’ standings but also highlights their ability to perform under pressure as they continue their campaign in the competitive EuroLeague landscape. For fans eager to catch the next action, tickets for upcoming games are already in high demand, reflecting the excitement surrounding the team this season.
Time.news Editor: Welcome! Today, we’re diving into the recent EuroLeague match where Olympiacos faced Zalgiris in Kaunas. It was quite a comeback for Olympiacos, as they managed to pull off a victory even after trailing for more than 31 minutes. What do you make of their performance, especially considering their defensive struggles in the first half?
Basketball Expert: ItS quite engaging, isn’t it? Olympiacos showcased a classic case of resilience. Their defensive game was clearly off initially; they allowed Zalgiris to find their rhythm, particularly with players like Francisco performing exceptionally well. The effectiveness of Zalgiris’ three-point shooting during the first half posed significant challenges for Olympiacos.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. It seemed like they completely flipped the script after halftime. What do you think changed in their strategy?
Basketball Expert: The adjustment was twofold. Firstly, Olympiacos improved their defensive intensity dramatically after the break. They started closing out on shooters more effectively, which stifled Zalgiris’ offensive flow.Secondly, on offense, players like Walkup adn Papapetrou were pivotal—adding real depth and support to the scoring efforts of Vezhenkov and Fournier. Their presence not only lifted the team but also created space for triumphant shots.
Time.news Editor: That’s a great insight. Vezhenkov scoring 24 points and Fournier contributing 14 is significant. How important is it for a team like Olympiacos to have such versatile scorers, particularly in high-pressure situations?
Basketball Expert: It’s crucial! versatile scorers can shift the momentum of a game, especially in a tightly contested environment like the EuroLeague. Vezhenkov and Fournier not only provided the scoring but also put pressure on Zalgiris’ defense, forcing them to make tough decisions. When you can depend on multiple players to deliver points, it alleviates pressure from the rest of the team and can lead to better overall performance, as we saw in the second half.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, it seems Olympiacos learned a lot from this game, both in terms of strategy and mental resilience. With their defensive adjustments and offensive execution, they managed to turn the tide. How do you see this impacting their upcoming matches in the EuroLeague?
Basketball Expert: If they can maintain the same intensity and make consistent adjustments based on their opponents, they could be a real threat moving forward.They’ll need to carry this momentum into their next games—teams that can adapt and respond, like Olympiacos did, typically fare better in tournament settings. It’s all about building confidence and finding that rhythm as the season progresses.