Quincy Lewis had a terrific game, and together with Olympiakos' 3 youngsters, handed Maccabi its earliest loss in the Euroleague since 02/3, 78-83 after a 15-2 run late in the game.
Sometimes when you play against your ex-team, the excitement ruins everything for you and you can't buy a bucket. Sometimes, everything goes your way. Tonight was the second case for Quincy Lewis, who scored 21 points, added rare numbers of 3 steals and 3 (Three!) blocked shots and led Olympiakos to a 83-78 win, which was Maccabi's first loss since last February (79-81 in Barcelona) and after a 33-game win streak in formal games.
Maccabi suffered from a terrible night by Baston, who scored just 2 points, and Parker, who defended very well by Lewis. After only 5 minutes you could've seen it's not Maccabi's night, as the score was 5 all, but 5 points from each Sharp and Penney off the bench gave Maccabi a 18-12 lead, despite only 6 points from the starters (All by Solomon).
Lewis' hand started connecting in the second quarter, and together with the amazing Renaldas Seibutis, Olympiakos ran 12-2 to take a 6-point margin. Solomon, who had 14 until intermission, got Maccabi within 3 at the half, 36-39.
7 straight points by Maccabi got them the lead back, but Vassilopolous came off the bench and did a great work on both hands. Together with the other 2 youngsters, Seibutis and Schortsanitis, Olympiakos regained the edge, but lost it to back-to-back layups by Parker, 61-60 after 3 periods.
3 minutes gone by without a single points by the visitors, as on the other side the Reds scored 8 straight. Vujcic and Green returned, each scored 5 of his own and a trey by Burstein completed 13 unanswerred points to put Maccabi 6 points ahead.
Finished? Not even close. Lewis scored 5 quick ones, dished a great assist to the Greek "Baby Shaq", who added another hoop, and Olympiakos' lead is now for good. Edney and Hatzis scored 6 perfect foul shots to end a 15-2 run, which killed Maccabi's chance. 83-78 in the end.
Solomon led Maccabi with 19, Parker 11, Arnold 10, Vujcic and Burstein 9 each, Green 7, Penney 6, Sharp 5, Baston 2 and Shason didn't score.
Lewis led the Greeks with 21, Edney added 14 with 5 assists, Seibutis and Schortsanitis 13 apiece.
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Parker. Had it from Lewis |