By George Efkarpidis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos crushed Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague Greek derby 95-71, in front of the packed OAKA Arena. Isaiah Canaan gave one of his best performances in the red jersey and helped the Piraeus team to win with season-high 17 points.
Talking to Eurohoops he shared his impressions after a big win for his team.
“We expected the crowd, as we are talking about a great rivalry and two good teams. We were able to execute our game plan, and that helped us with the victory. We played well together and moved the ball. The big fellas dominated down there dominating so that just opened up everything“, Canaan said.
Olympiacos got back on the winning track in the EuroLeague, after two straight losses.
As Canaan explains: “It’s a great momentum boost, we had two tough losses. But the season is long, and it’s gonna come with wins and losses. We just gotta capitalize on the mistakes we make, and try not to make them. We just have to continue building. Every game, every practice is a stepping stone for us in our goals for the end of the season, and tonight we took a step in the right direction“.
The Piraeus team extended the streak of wins against the archrival to an unprecedented 10-0.
Canaan still tries to grasp what this exactly means: “I’m not Greek, but I hear a lot about rivalry, It means so much to our, and their organization. I wear red so that’s who I’m going to war with. It’s good to win these rivalry games, it means a lot to the fans“.
However, the former NBA player also remembers his first game in the OAKA, and not in a good way.
“My first time here the fans weren’t very nice. I was going to do an interview, but they threw coffee cups and tried to spit on me. Little things like that you always remember, I just come to do my job and play basketball, I never take anything personal to anybody that’s in the stands. I just hope that all the fans remember that“.