Olympiacos proved to be much more experienced and much more prepared than the “rookie” Panathinaikos.
After all, for two seasons in a row they knew very well how to respond in the Finals and how (more) ready they were to present themselves in the championship contention.
On the flip side, and despite the fact that the series against Aris was intervened, the Greens still had the smell of champagne on their clothes and couldn’t live up to the demands of the first Stoiximan Basket League final.
Olympiacos “grabbed” the home court advantage from the “eternal” rival and now became the big boss for winning the third championship in a row as it holds the fate of the finals in its hands. Giorgos Bartzokas’ team appeared absolutely ready in the OAKA gym, both mentally, as well as in terms of the game and tactics.
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With patience and a focused game plan on both ends of the floor, they made sure to be the boss of the game from start to finish. Milutinov and Petroushev were the ones who made the difference in the first half of the game, having dominated the two boards, while in the second half Thomas Walkap was a player of … orchestra, scoring all of his 15 points, making the difference in the game.
In the last minutes, the “Greens” tried to make a total turnaround by cutting the lead to six points (74-80 at 39′) but they couldn’t get any closer to be threatening and claim the victory until the end.