By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos breaking quick to a double-digit lead, went on routing rival Panathinaikos OPAP, 74-61, Saturday.
Kostas Sloukas pacing the Reds produced 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Moustapha Fall with 14 points and ten rebounds and Sasha Vezenkov combining 12 points with ten rebounds both posted double-doubles in Game 1 of the Stoiximan Basket League Finals. On the opposite end, Okaro White and Ioannis Papapetrou shared a team-high 13 points.
Back in the Finals of the Greek league after four years, Olympiacos was in a hurry to get in a commanding position in Game 1 of the best-of-five series. Pregame incidents, tear gas used by the police force outside the venue creating a difficult atmosphere inside the gym, led the players back to their respective locker rooms. The game eventually started following a 20-minute delay.
Tear gas was used outside the arena of Olympiacos by the police force and there’s a 15 minute delay in the start of the Greek Finals pic.twitter.com/O5oIJKLzeX
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 11, 2022
Staying focused, the Reds put up the first 11 points of the contest. Dominating the first quarter generated a 23-4 lead. Smooth sailing the rest of the way despite Panathinaikos showing glimpses of improvement.
Picking up an injury after a dangerous slip late in the second quarter, Shaquielle McKissic did not return. Limited to ten minutes but got to five points. As expected, Olympiacos’ Quincy Acy and Panathinaikos’ Stefan Jovic were sidelined to start the championship series of the Playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks assistant Vin Baker was in attendance. “Coming over to work with Giannis and Thanasis,” he told Greek state-owned television ERT on keeping both Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo in shape during the NBA offseason, “We love it here but we must get back to work. Giannis is the hardest-working player in the world. It is a blessing to work with him and with Thanasis also.”
Bucks assistant Vin Baker watching the Greek League finals, having arrived in the country together with Giannis to train him pic.twitter.com/TlkQeIM5wm
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 11, 2022
After Game 5 between Panathinaikos and Larissa, Greece national team head coach Dimitris Itoudis watched Game 1 of the Finals as well.
New Greek NT coach Dimitris Itoudis also present in the Greek League Finals pic.twitter.com/klfZx5lLDZ
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 11, 2022
Game 2 will be hosted by OAKA Altion Arena Tuesday. Game 3, back in Peace and Friendship Stadium, follows Friday. Game 4 and Game 5, if necessary, will be held Monday 20 June at OAKA and Wednesday 22 June at SEF, respectively.