By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Two completely different games, same outcome for Olympiacos and Panathinaikos and some results that might decide a lot on the long run, during this week in the Greek Basket League.
In what was probably the most exciting battle of the season so far, Olympiacos (21-1) escaped OAKA against AEK (16-6), to remain at the first place of the standings. No less than 50 minutes where needed to find out the winner, since both teams threw away some chance they had to win the game earlier. Coach Sfairopoulos’ players had managed to gain a seemingly good lead near the end of the regular time thanks to a 0 – 9 run that made it 68 – 75, yet AEK amassed its strengths to fight back and force the first overtime.
That gave wings to the hosts who had a golden chance to finish the game in their favor but with the score 87 – 85 and 19 seconds to go, Nontas Papantoniou had 0/2 from the line. Vassilis Spanoulis, undoubtedly the best player of the game, was good in the two free throws he won, sending the match to another extra period. Olympiacos was clearly superior during these five minutes thanks to 2/2 key three-pointers by Vangelis Mantzaris and grabbed the crucial victory.
Aris (17-5) waited for such a “gift” by Olympiacos after defeating Kifissia (10-12) with a late game-winning defense by Jamelle Hagins. The American big guy blocked Dustin Hogue 8 seconds before the end of the game and his team is now alone at the third place.
Panathinaikos (21-1) had a relaxing afternoon on the road. “A good practice for the game against Lokomotiv Kuban” as Vassilis Charalambopoulos said. The youngster had 8 points and 3 assists in the 17 minutes he stayed on court, as his team cruised versus Trikala.
An epic performance by Trevor Releford helped Kolossos (10-12) remain a strong contender for a spot in the playoffs, while in Sofoklis Schortsanitis’ return, PAOK (10-12) was focused enough to not face any problem against Apollon (9-13).
Basket League 2015/2016 – Day 22
Kifissia – Aris (Dominic Waters 17 p.) : 65 – 67
Koroivos – Kolossos Rhodes (Trevor Releford 35 p.) : 68 – 71
PAOK (Sofoklis Schortsanitis 18 p. 5 r.) – Apollon Patras: 80 – 67
Kavala (Leon Williams 12 p. 17 r.) – Rethymno: 103 – 102
Lavrio (Ousmane Krubally 27 p. 14 r.) – Arkadikos: 79 – 67
AEK – Olympiacos (Vassilis Spanoulis 26 p. 9 a.) : 93 – 100
Trikala – Panathinaikos (Vlado Jankovic 19 p.) : 81 – 98