Driven by a vibrant “red tide” of supporters at the adidas arena, Olympiacos delivered a near-perfect performance to defeat Paris Basketball, who entered the match on an impressive three-game winning streak in the Euroleague.
Despite the absence of former Euroleague MVP Sasha Vezenkov, the Greek club relied heavily on a brilliant Tyler Dorsey from start to finish. Dorsey opened the scoring with a three-pointer, setting the tone for a record-breaking night for Olympiacos. Indeed, Coach Bartzókas’s players achieved an unprecedented Euroleague feat, sinking 13 three-pointers out of 19 attempts in the first half.
Olympiacos Dominates Early, Paris Shows Resilience
Alongside Dorsey, Alec Peters also shone, particularly with a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, helping to propel Olympiacos to an eleven-point lead (22-33) after just ten minutes. Centers Nikola Milutinov and Donta Hall further contributed to the scoring, capitalizing on Paris’s weak interior defense and a foul-prone Faye.
In the second quarter, Paris Basketball showed signs of resilience and fighting spirit. Justin Robinson made impactful drives, reminiscent of his stellar 35-point performance in the reverse fixture against Olympiacos. Jeremy Morgan, Lamar Stevens, Evan Fournier, and Tyson Ward also engaged in the fierce three-point battle. Paris managed to win the second quarter, narrowing the deficit to trail 55-63 at halftime.
Heightened Intensity and Olympiacos Seals the Win
Upon returning from the locker rooms, the intensity on the court escalated significantly. The early part of the third quarter was choppy, marked by controversial fouls, a technical foul against Coach Tabellini, and a scramble that allowed Nadir Hifi to score on a fast break (69-74, 25th minute). Despite these disruptions, the visitors managed to regain control by the end of the quarter, building a comfortable 18-point lead thanks to a basket from their former Parisian forward.
While Jared Rhoden and Justin Robinson helped Paris maintain a ten-point difference, preventing a complete collapse, Olympiacos’s ironclad defense and precise long-range shots from Derrick Willis held firm. With three minutes remaining in the game, Evan Fournier ultimately extinguished any lingering hopes of a Parisian comeback. With a crucial three-pointer followed by a shot closer to the rim on consecutive possessions, the French international sealed the outcome, making it 80-98 by the 37th minute and ensuring Olympiacos’s decisive victory.
