By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The best team prevailed once more at Madrid, as Real has a 2-0 lead in the series over the defending champions Olympiacos who are on the verge of elimination after losing 82-77. The Spaniards are one step away from the Final Four and no team in Euroleague’s play offs history has returned from 0-2.
The stars of Real Madrid proved themselves on the court with Giannis Bourousis having a double double against his old team (19 p., 10 r.), Rudy Fernandez adding 15 points, Nicola Mirotic contributing 14 points and Sergio Llull having 11 points and 7 assists. Olympiacos tried to react throughout the game, but the Reds were trailing almost from the start and the best they could do was cutting the lead of Real to three points at the start of the second half (55-52). Real answered with a 8-0 run and Olympiacos was kept to a safe distance until the last two minutes of the game. Matt Lojeski with six straight points gave the guests their last hope (79-75 for Real with one minute left), but Sergio Rodriguez and Bourousis combined for 3/4 free throws and the win was decided. Free throws proved to be more than important, as Olympiacos had 15/27 attempts.
As coach Bartzokas said: “Some missed shots and missed free throws were our problem, but in order to beat Real you have to do more. Now the series travels to our home court. We want to return to Madrid, but we know it will not be easy”. Nikola Mirotic added from the winners’ side: “We are working all season to be at this point. It’s true that we are kind of tired, but our wish is to return from Greece as soon as possible, in order to get some rest. There might be a surprise there for us, but we are not afraid of anyone”.