Kostas Sloukas, Olympiacos remain alive in EuroLeague playoffs race

Kostas Sloukas helped Olympiacos survive an OT thriller against ASVEL Villeurbanne and remain alive in the EuroLeague playoffs race.

The “Reds” stood tall at Astroballe and edged ASVEL in a EuroLeague Round 10 makeup game (93-101).

Olympiacos led for almost 30 minutes (13-23, 37-44, 61-63), but ASVEL came back multiple times.

The French turned things around and led by six midway through the fourth quarter (79-73).

An 8-0 run helped shift the momentum for the visitors (79-81), yet the hosts led by three, with 9.9 seconds to go (86-83).

Sloukas, though, said the final word and hit the three-pointer at the buzzer to force an overtime (86-86).

In the extra period, Olympiacos outscored ASVEL 7-15 and secured a much-needed win in the EuroLeague.

Sloukas led the way for the winners, with 23 points (6/10 shooting), six assists and a PIR of 27.

This was the second straight game between the two teams in the EuroLeague, with the Greeks and the French splitting wins in the regular season (1-1).

Olympiacos improved to 11-9 and are tied with other three EuroLeague clubs (Anadolu Efes, Zalgiris Kaunas, Valencia).

They maintained a EuroLeague playoff push and now have their sights set on ending their road trip undefeated.

The Greeks will face Zalgiris in Kaunas (Friday) and Armani in Milan (Tuesday) in two must-win games.

If they defeat both teams, they will have the tie breaker and will solidify their place within the playoff zone.

But, if they lose both, their qualification for the EuroLeague playoffs will be in jeopardy.

For their part, ASVEL missed the chance to sweep the season series against Olympiacos in the EuroLeague.

The French dropped to 6-14 in the EuroLeague standings and remained next to the bottom of the table.

Both teams will be in action later in the week. EuroLeague 21 will see ASVEL host Valencia (Thursday) and Olympiacos take on Zalgiris Kaunas (Friday).