UPDATE: In a high-intensity derby full of nerves and ejections, Olympiacos emerged unscathed from OAKA in Game 3 of the series, prevailing 99–88, taking a 2–1 lead and now holding the fate of the championship in their own hands ahead of Game 4 at SEF!

Olympiacos is just one step away from reclaiming the Greek throne after the resumption of the finals and Game 3 of the series at the OAKA indoor arena.

In a derby marked by tension, nerves, and interruptions, the “Red and Whites” showed character and managed to seize home-court advantage after pulling off a “break” at OAKA. Olympiacos showed composure, was better prepared, and fully focused on both ends of the court. Thanks to their accuracy—especially in the third quarter where they scored an impressive 34 points—they took full control of the game.

And all this in a match where they were forced to play with just one center after the injury of Moustapha Fall in the first quarter, which forced him out of the game. Nikola Milutinov initially did an excellent job, but the key player in the third quarter was Evan Fournier, who went from scoring zero in the first half to putting up 15 points in that period, becoming the game’s x-factor.

Sasha Vezenkov was outstanding and the most consistent player for Olympiacos in a game where hosts Panathinaikos were extremely nervous, rushed, and often careless in their decisions. The performance of Cedi Osman (25 pts, 4/7 2-pointers, 4/7 3-pointers, 5/7 free throws) wasn’t enough for the “Greens,” while Kendrick Nunn scored 23 points (4/6 2-pointers, 5/9 3-pointers) but also committed several unnecessary turnovers.

The Match: Panathinaikos – Olympiacos

The game began with explosive energy at OAKA. Cedi Osman sparked an 8–2 lead for Panathinaikos early, but Olympiacos responded quickly, with Moustapha Fall causing problems for the home team, allowing the visitors to quickly level the score (8–8 and 10–10), preventing Panathinaikos from building a lead. Both teams were shooting efficiently, and the score opened up from the first quarter.

Olympiacos suffered a setback with Fall’s injury midway through the first quarter. Osman (11 pts) and Nunn (8 pts) stood out for Panathinaikos, while Vezenkov (9 pts) and Dorsey (7 pts) led for Olympiacos. The first quarter ended 28–30 in favor of Olympiacos, who shot 6/7 2-pointers, 4/9 3-pointers, and 6/9 free throws with 8 assists and no turnovers. Panathinaikos had 5/8 2-pointers, 4/5 3-pointers, 6/8 free throws, and 6 assists with 2 turnovers.

Nikola Milutinov became a major factor as he dominated the Panathinaikos paint, helping Olympiacos take an 8-point lead (28–36) by the 12th minute. However, Ataman’s team responded quickly with a 10–1 run, reclaiming the lead at 38–37 two minutes later. From that point on, the game turned into a back-and-forth thriller, with both teams slacking defensively compared to the first quarter.

The first half ended with Panathinaikos narrowly leading 45–44, with Osman starring (16 pts, 3/5 2-pointers, 2/4 3-pointers, 6/8 free throws) and Jerian Grant dishing out 7 assists in 19 minutes. Overall, Panathinaikos shot 9/17 2-pointers, 6/13 3-pointers, 9/12 free throws, with 14–3 rebounds and 10 assists to 3 turnovers. Olympiacos had 11/18 2-pointers, 5/15 3-pointers, 7/11 free throws, 11–4 rebounds, and 13 assists to 10 turnovers. Milutinov was the x-factor (10 pts, 5/6 2-pointers, 3 rebounds, 2 assists), while Vezenkov led the scoring with 12 pts.

Olympiacos started the second half much better, thanks to their three-point shooting. They had only 1/6 3-pointers in the second quarter but made 4/6 in the first five minutes of the third, grabbing an 8-point lead (52–60 at 25′), completely controlling the game’s rhythm. Fournier woke up offensively, while Vezenkov and Milutinov kept up their strong performances. Fournier caught fire and, after scoring nothing in the first half, nailed four three-pointers, pushing Olympiacos to a 13-point lead (59–72 at 27′).

Panathinaikos answered with a 7–0 run through Grant and Osman to close the gap to 67–72, but it wasn’t enough, as they failed to capitalize on the momentum. Vezenkov (23 pts, 4 assists, 3 rebounds) and Fournier (15 pts, 4/8 3-pointers—all in the third) helped Olympiacos (15/25 2-pointers, 13/27 3-pointers, 9/14 free throws, 16–8 rebounds, 22 assists, 2 turnovers) close the third quarter up 67–78, with a 34–22 scoring advantage in the period. Up to that point, Panathinaikos had 16/29 2-pointers, 7/19 3-pointers, 14/17 free throws, 17–8 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 turnovers.

As it turned out, Olympiacos had no intention of wasting the golden opportunity they had created for themselves. Despite the tension in the 32nd minute that led to Fournier’s ejection, the “Red and Whites” stayed composed and maintained the lead they had built.

On the other hand, Panathinaikos was too hasty in their offensive decisions, committing many turnovers and failing to get back into the game. That ultimately led to the home team’s defeat and handed Olympiacos a strong advantage in the race for the title.

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With Shaquielle McKissic included in the twelve-man roster, Olympiacos will face Panathinaikos tonight (6/6, 21:00) at OAKA, in Game 3 of the Greek Basketball League playoff finals. Coach Giorgos Bartzokas chose, just like in Game 2 at SEF, the American shooting guard instead of Luca Vildoza. The Argentine was part of Olympiacos’ twelve in Game 1 at OAKA.

Essentially, Olympiacos will go into Game 3 with the same twelve players as in the second final last Sunday (1/6) at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, when they tied the series 1-1 with a comfortable 91–83 win over Ergin Ataman’s team.

In the first final, Panathinaikos had taken a 1–0 lead with an 80–68 victory.

Olympiacos’ twelve-man roster for Game 3:
Walkup, Mitrou-Long, Lee, Dorsey, Larentzakis, Fournier, Papanikolaou, McKissic, Vezenkov, Peters, Fall, Milutinov.

Once again in this year’s Stoiximan GBL finals, Ergin Ataman has chosen to leave Lorenzo Brown out of the foreign player selection, and consequently out of the twelve-man squad.

Panathinaikos’ six foreign players: Cedi Osman, Jerian Grant, Kendrick Nunn, Wenyen Gabriel, Juancho Hernangómez, Ömer Yurtseven.

Panathinaikos’ twelve-man roster:
Kalaitzakis, Moraitis, Sloukas, Osman, Samontourov, Papapetrou, Grant, Nunn, Gabriel, Hernangómez, Mitoglou, Yurtseven.