Spectacular Reds put month of defeats behind them
After a month of agony, Olympiakos reverted to performing spectacularly on Friday when it trounced host Laboral Kutxa 89-70 at Vitoria in Spain for the Euroleague.
Putting the 30-day spell of five defeats in all competitions behind them, the Reds produced a wonderful all-around game that left the Basques no chance, even though the host was the favorite going into the game.
Olympiakos sensed it was going to run up a high score from the first few minutes, ending the first period leading 26-15, and scoring 33 points in the second to end the first half with a 59-38 advantage.
The high margin of difference reduced the second half to a mere formality, with the European champion taking its collective foot off the gas and its coach Giorgos Bartzokas having the chance to use Brent Petway who has just returned from his injury.
The Greeks offered fans some spectacular plays and showed they have shaken off last Monday’s loss to Panathinaikos in the league.
This was the second win for Olympiakos in four games in the tournament’s second group stage.
Matt Lojeski was the top scorer of Olympiakos with 17 points, as well as collecting six rebounds, while captain Vassilis Spanoulis scored 13 points and distributed seven assists.
