Olympiacos maintains EuroLeague playoff push after OT win vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Olympiacos remained alive in the EuroLeague playoffs race, thanks to its 87-89 victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in overtime.
The “Reds” stood tall in a late thriller at Tel-Aviv and secured their sixth road win, maintaining a playoff push.
It was a hard-fought battle from start to finish between the two EuroLeague powerhouses, with Kostas Sloukas forcing an overtime for Olympiacos from the free-throw line (73-73).
In the extra period, Maccabi had the chance to force a double overtime, but Scottie Wilbekin missed a crucial free throw and the “Reds” sealed the deal.
Elijah Bryant missed the game-winning midcourt shot at the buzzer and Maccabi lost the game.
For their part, the Greeks extended their winning streak in the EuroLeague to three games, improving to 10-8.
They also swept the regular season series against the Israelis (0-2), who dropped to 8-11.
Armani Milano dominated Valencia at home and cruised to an easy EuroLeague win (95-80).
The Italians closed the first half in front by 18 (54-36) and never looked back.
Even though the Spaniards cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, the hosts retained their lead and won the game.
Luigi Datome was unstoppable and scored a career-high 27 points (6/8 from beyond the arc) for the winners.
Armani improved to 11-7 and now has the tie breaker over Valencia, which dropped to 10-9 in the EuroLeague standings.
Fenerbahce maintained its good form and extended it winning streak in the EuroLeague to four games.
The Turks made their best offensive performance this season and decimated Baskonia at home (96-76).
The hosts led from start to finish and had no problem to claim their ninth EuroLeague victory.
Both teams now have identical records in the EuroLeague (9-10), but Fenerbahce has the tie breaker.
Anadolu Efes came back from a double-digit deficit and rallied past ALBA Berlin at home (84-76).
The Turks used a 26-9 run in the third quarter to take the lead and never look back.
The Germans never recovered after that and suffered their fifth loss in the last six EuroLeague games.
Efes now is at 10-9, whereas ALBA dropped to 7-12 in the EuroLeague standings.
FC Barcelona cruised to an easy victory over Khimki on the road (75-87), remaining close to the top.
The Catalans led by as many as 20 points and defeated the Russians for a seventh straight time in the EuroLeague.
Nick Calathes set a EuroLeague record for Barcelona in assists with 15, as the “Blaugrana” improved to 13-6.
On the other hand, the hosts are on a 10-game losing streak, dropping to 2-17 in the EuroLeague standings.