Olympiacos secured their first home win in the Top16 phase after overcoming Valencia by 77-62.
Olympiacos displayed more energy in the start of the game, trying to push the ball fast in the attack and put some pressure on Valencia in defense. Nielsen was the main offensive weapon while Bourousis was the defensive corner-stone. Claver was putting up a one man show but Spanoulis made it 13-10. The Reds ran a 5-0 partial score which led Pesic to ask a time out. Final score at the end of first quarter was 18-12.
With Papaloukas running in the point and handing out assists to Nesterovic Olympiacos tried to pull off, but Javtokas kept the Spanish side close enough. Tightening their defense the Greek finalists established a comfortable lead 30-20. With two back-to-back three pointers by Lucas and Teodosic the half time score became 38-24.
Valencia were determined to put up a fight in the beginning of the third quarter and came very close, 38-32. With Spanoulis’ help Olympiacos took the points difference to double digits, 46-32. Teodosic further expanses the lead, 57-42 after thirty minutes of playing time.
De Colo was doing everything he could to keep Valencia close, but Olympiacos back-court was too much for him to handle. With pressing defense the home side kept Valencia’s offensive performance in low standards. Savanovic scored four consecutive points half way through the last quarter, but that was just about it. Finals core was 77-62.
Olympiacos: Papaloukas 8 (9 ass), Nesterovic 17, Spanoulis 14, Vasilopoulos, Bourousis 11, Keselj 5, Nielsen 7, Erceg, Teodosic 8, Halperin, Lucas
Valencia: Cook 4, Augistine, Claver 16, Lishchuk 10, Martinez, Pietrus, Savanovic 13, De Colo 7, Fernandez, Javtokas 12
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