Olympiacos keep playoff hopes alive with important win over Baskonia 

EUROLEAGUE REGULAR SEASON - ROUND 22

Olympiacos kept their playoff hopes alive with an important 80-70 victory against Baskonia at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in the EuroLeague.

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Last week, Olympiacos did suffer a damaging defeat at Zenit Saint Petersburg, but they got back on track with a confident triumph over Baskonia in Piraeus. Olympiacos, holding a 9-13 record in the EuroLeague regular season, currently occupy 11th spot of the standings, as they continue to dream of qualification to the playoffs. The top eight clubs will progress to the knockout stages.

The two teams started the game with a tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on Sunday:

Augustine Rubit (19 points), Vassilis Spanoulis (16 points), Octavius Ellis (11 points) and Nikola Milutinov (10 points) all reached double figures in terms of points for Olympiacos, while Wade Baldwin dished out six assists.

Baskonia are in 14th position of the table with eight victories and 14 defeats on the board.

Next week, Olympiacos face a tricky trip to Zalgiris Kaunas, while Baskonia play against Real Madrid on the road.

THE MATCH

The two teams initially matched each other in the first quarter with Olympiacos slightly edging it 25-24. 

However, Olympiacos did extend that advantage to six points in the second quarter, as they won the frame by five points with solid defensive play.

Although they never managed to completely run away with the game, Olympiacos did win the last two quarters 16-14 and 21-19 respectively to secure the victory, and their superior rebounding (35-29) and assist making (22-16) was key.

HIGHLIGHTS

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: sport-fm.gr

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