By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos captured their first victory of the season over archrival Panathinaikos and mathematically advanced to the EuroLeague playoffs thanks to an 87 – 85 win in a sensational overtime thriller that took place at OAKA arena.
This result improved the Reds’ record to 17-7 while PAO fell to 14-10
Panathinaikos managed a comeback from a 13-point (46-59, two minutes into the second half) deficit to force the extra period but didn’t endure enough against the Reds and Brian Roberts in particular.
Roberts was the game’s x-factor since not only did he finish with 18 points behind perfect shooting (5/5 from the field) but also hit what was proven to be the most decisive basket of the game with a 3-pointer for the 82 – 84 with one minute remaining in the extra five. He then hit a pair of free throws on the following play to provide Olympiacos a safety pillow that helped them preserve a lead until the end.
Panathinaikos returned to the game mostly thanks to a splendid Nick Calathes who posted his 7th double-double of the season thanks to 23 points plus 10 assists. He entered the fourth period with 10 but scored some personal baskets to rally his teammates.
It one of his connections with James Gist (season-high 21 points) that gave Panathinaikos their first lead after the first quarter, 71-70 with 1:19 in regulation. Vassilis Spanoulis (15 points) tied the match with 1/2 from the free throw line but lost the go-ahead attempt afterward before Mike James (8 points) lost the ball and the chance for a potential game-winner.
Spanoulis later made a key bucket in overtime when he scored the lay-up and won a foul to tie the match 81-81 before Roberts “signed” the finale.
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