By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
After two years and 12 games, Olympiacos beat Panathinaikos on his own way (89-64) and tied the series 1-1. This was the biggest for Olympiacos against their eternal Greej rival after Game 5 of the finals back in the 1995-96 season (73-38).
For the first time in all these games, the defense of the Greens wasn’t effective. Τhe Reds run and played fast, taking advantage of all Panathinaikos‘ defensive issues. The scoring record for the Reds this season (this was the seventh game) against Panathinaikos was 68 points until this game…
James Gist was sidelined due to his injury and coach Alvertis didn’t find any other way to stop Olympiacos. Printezis had a great night and Spanoulis, Mantzaris, Petway contributed also a lot. The third game of the series will be held at OAKA on Thursday and the biggest challenge of the Reds is their attitude in a court in which they have never won during a final series against the defending champs.
In the series for the third place of the final standings, PAOK beat Panionios 81-63 and has a 2-0 lead.