In Athens, in the first semi-final, Bartzokas’ team eliminates the Turks and returns to play for the title that has been missing since 2013. Peters was decisive from the bench with 17 points
Olympiacos, in their Athens, in front of many Greek fans, flies to the final and continues their hunt for that title that has been missing since 2013: Fenerbahce beaten 79-61. The percentages from 3 are decisive (11/27 for the Reds, 8/36 for Melli and co). Peters top scorer of his team (17 points), 16 for Vezenkov. 17 points from Biberovic and 16 from Horton Tucker were not enough for Jasikevicius, but he lit up at times. Melli closes with 7 points. Now Bartzokas’ men await the winner of Valencia-Real Madrid, a deuce at 8pm.
OLYMPIACOS-FENERBAHCE 79-61
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Energetic start for Olympiacos, who began by placing a 10-0 break, built with triples from Dorsey (11 points after 10′) and baskets from Walkup, who was also excellent in defence. Bartzokas’ team, with its usual defensive effectiveness, works well on the pick and roll. Fener broke free thanks to the experience and talent of De Colo, who distributed assists and scored from the arc. The Reds continue to dictate the law with their suffocating defense and find offensively important resources from the bench (Peters above all). The +17 also arrives, after Fournier’s 1/2 in free throws. Olympiacos drops slightly, giving space to their opponents who, in transition, find confidence in attack. Biberovic’s triples and Horton Tucker and Melli’s baskets try to reopen the discussion (33-24 after 20′). Not even time to get comfortable and Bartzokas’ men dig a new furrow, 11-0, with 5 points from Vezenkov and Dorsey again. Despite a 10-0 counterbreak by the European champions, with De Colo and Biberovic effective from beyond the arc, the Reds, thanks to 14 points from Vezenkov in the third period and an excellent Milutinov, seem to be securing the final. The fourth period is one of control for Olympiacos, who manages the flashes of Biberovic, Baldwin and the baskets of Horton Tucker without worries. The game was finally closed by a triple from a very solid Peters (66-52 in the 34th minute). The Greeks fly to the final. Olympiacos: Peters 17, Vezenkov 16, Dorsey 15
Fenerbahce: Biberovic 17, Horton Tucker 16, Baldwin 10.
