Zalgiris Kaunas – Olympiacos 85-92: “He escaped” from Lithuania with Vezenkov and defense

He returned from -14 to “Zalgirio Arena” and got a big win against (92-85), entering with the right-wing Euroleague for 2025. Olympiacos had a bad offensive start, since he did not score in the first two minutes of the match. Zalgiris led by 4-0, before accepting the first Pirate basket, from Walkap’s lei-up. Francisco took his… gun then and with three three-pointers and three shots raised the difference to 9 (16-8). CORVERSE Wakap was the only one who seemed to control the hosts, while Fournier was a failure in all his efforts. The amazing Francisco finally went to the home bench, while Papanikolaou’s first basket – with a three-pointer – and Vezenkov’s three-pointer “turned out” in -10 and made it -2 (18-16). But Ulanovas – with a three-point shot – gave his team peace again (22-16 the score of the first period). Olympiacos tried to reduce the difference to the second quarter, but Zalgiri had every time the way to secure it. McKishik went through the game “he took Olympiacos aggressively and defensively, but Francisco’s new three-pointer (at that point reaching 15 points) raised the difference to +9 (34-25). Again McKishik, with his own streak points, kept ‘ the guests alive, reaching 9 points in just a period (34-30). Olympiacos players showed better cooperation, but this was transient. Five-series points of Smylagic (41-32) cut them off. 2:49 before the rest, Fournier scored his first points in the game, while his new basket – little after – made 44-40. The 52-40 of the first part was formed by the incredible Francisco, which at that point measured 20 points and 5/6 three points. Incredible 11/17 (64.7%) by the Lithuanians, behind 7.65m! CORVERSE Olympiacos entered the third period with 6 streak points of Vezenkov, but also accepted 6 from Dunston. Bartzokas’ team did not accept from another Zalgiris player in the first six minutes of the period. He significantly improved in defense, found rhythm and attack and reached -2 (60–58) 4:31 before the quarter came out. Fournier’s three point brought the Piraeus to the point (62–61). The guests’ mistakes and a small 4-0 of the Lithuanians brought a small for their difference. In 71-67 at the end of the quarter, however, he showed that Olympiacos had, now, changed the balance of the race. Olympiacos once again reduced the point (71-70) with a three point by Vezenkov, at the beginning of the 4th period. McKishik’s incredible three point gave the Pirates their first lead in the game (71–73) while Milutinov raised the difference with two baskets (71–77). Zalgiris had silenced, while receiving 14 straight points (71–79). Her mistakes were not limited, while she achieved her first basket in the quarter, five minutes before the end (73–80). Butkevicius’ three point dropped the difference to 4 points (76–80). Olympiacos managed to get defenses and find answers, while Walkup’s “great” three-pointer raised the difference to 9 BC (78-87). Zalgiris scored five streak points and made 80-87, 90 seconds before the match ended. In the game finale, Olympiacos showed calmness, accepted just a basket and finally took the match with a score of 83-92.