By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
For the second straight game Olympiacos proved that Real Madrid is not unbeatable. After the 71-62 win of the Reds the series between the defending champions and the top contenders are tied at 2-2 and everything will be decided in the next 40 minutes in Spain.
The score was tied at the start of the last quarter (49-49) after the first two points of Sergio Rodriguez in the game, but Olympiacos had the lead for most of the game and didn’t blink. The answer was a 10-2 run (60-51) and the Spaniards couldn’t get closer than four points until the end. Matt Lojeski had 13 points and the most crucial three of the game (67-58) one and a half minute before the end. Bryant Dunston added also 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Vasilis Spanoulis had 12 points and 7 assists in a balanced offensive effort. For the guests, Rudy Fernandez scored 18 points, but Tremell Darden with 10 points was the only other scorer in double digits.
Coach Laso of Real Madrid admitted after the game: “We played as individuals, Olympiacos played as a team. The trophies and the titles goes to those who are playing like teams. The injury of Draper is a problem, our guards are tired, but we can’t use any excuses”. As for the Reds, they are hoping for one more big came back as Matt Lojeski said: “We can’t wait for Game 5”. “It will not be easy, we are not the favorites, but we have our chances and we will try to be in the Final Four”, added coach Bartzokas.