By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos took a decisive win en route to clinching a EuroLeague playoffs spot by routing Bayern Munich 89 – 69 at home.
The Greek team improved to 14 – 13 while Bayern dropped to 12 – 15 and below the postseason zone. The reigning German League champions are now 10th in the standings and with few chances of making the playoffs.
The Reds’ bigs dominated the game from every aspect, of it, whether it was bucket-making or controlling the rebounds (43 – 23). Zach Le Day (23 points, four rebounds), Nikola Milutinov (20 points, five rebounds) and Giorgos Printezis (11 points, five rebounds) combined for 54 points out of their team’s 89.
Printezis, together with LeDay, is also credited for containing Bayern star and top contributor this campaign Derrick Williams. The former no. 2 NBA Draft pick scored a season low-tying five points with 2/7 from the field.
Briante Weber was also a key piece of Oly’s victory thanks to a diverse contribution of 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Petteri Koponen scored 15 points (5/6). He and Nihad Djedovic (10 points) were the only Bayern players to finish in double figures. After receiving heavy damage by Milutinov and LeDay who accumulated 28 points in the first 16 minutes German side fell behind 50 – 31 at halftime.
Bayern made a 0 – 7 run in the third period to make it a 15-point game and show some glimpses of life. But their opponents unleashed a powerful response thanks to which they catapulted their lead to 29, 71 – 44 shortly before the fourth period. A margin way too big for Bayern to completely overcome and more than safe for Olympiacos. David Blatt found the opportunity to send 17-year-old Aleksej Pokusevski on the court in the final minute and the youngster scored his first EuroLeague point with a free throw.