By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2018-2019 edition of Barcelona has been nothing like the version of the team that didn’t even make the playoffs in the two previous EuroLeague seasons. And against Olympiacos in Piraeus, the Blaugrana confirmed this once more.
Chris Singleton posted a season high-tying 18 points and grabbed four rebounds, as Barcelona routed Olympiacos 55 – 76 and forced their opponents to a season-low offensive output.
This triumph gives Barcelona the upper hand over Olympiacos regarding the battle in the positions from 4 to 5. The two teams are now standing at the same record (12 – 9) yet the Spanish side has the tiebreaking advantage. Oly is now sixth.
Barcelona was superior from start to finish except for the second period. Svetislav Pesic’s players actually had a dreamy entrance in the match to finish the first ten minutes up 6 – 27, a stretch that set the tone for the remainder of the night. The Reds managed to patch up some issues they suffered with and played some tough, physical defense to make a comeback attempt thanks to a 15 – 0 run in the next quarter but Barcelona endured and never allowed its opponents to approach closer than six points.
Singleton took over in the third period with a couple of 3-pointers that kept his team’s lead above double figures.
The visiting squad retained control of the game while Olympiacos was unable to even attempt another turnaround. Kevin Pangos (nine points, eight assists) dropped a tough layup for the 45 – 63 with six minutes remaining and basically called the “game over”.
Nikola Milutinov (13 points, eight rebounds) and Janis Strelnieks (13 points) were the only players who put up a fight for Olympiacos. On Barcelona’s side, Adam Hanga added 11 points plus five boards.