By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas prevailed 74-68 in a game which was decided in the last three minutes. Kevin Pangos’ big shot with three minutes left gave a seven points advantage to the hosts.This turned out to be the most crucial shot of the game as Olympiacos couldn’t get closer than three points for the rest of the game. The Lithuanian champs have a 10-5 record after this win and the fourth spot in the league standings.
The star: Once more Pangos with 14 points and 7 assists proved that he is emerging as one of the best point guards in the EuroLeague. Arturas Milaknis also scored 14 points making four threes.
The key: Zalgiris outscored Olympiacos 17-5 in the first seven minutes of the last period. Having a 65-58 lead in such a low scoring game was a huge advantage for the Jasikevicius’ side.
After a close first half, Olympiacos had a 38-36 lead with Jamel McLean scoring 8 points for the guests and Brandon Davies also having 8 points for Zalgiris Kaunas in just seven minutes of action.
Τhe hosts got a four points lead (48-44) in the middle of the third period keeping the Reds in just six points in five minutes of action. However, Olympiacos‘ answer was a 9-0 run to close the third quarter (53-48). It was Zalgiris’ turn for a 6-0 run at the start of the last period (54-53) and everything was decided on details.
The Greeks were missing five players (Printezis, Milutinov, Mantzaris, Agravanis, Tillie) and Ioannis Papapetrou with 13 points was their top scorer. The fact that they made 14 turnovers, especially compared to their 15 assists, proved that things were not clicking on the offensive end. They tried with their defense to control the game and pretty much they did, but in the end, Zalgiris scored 26 points in the last period.
Olympiacos remains on the second spot of the standings with an 11-4 record.