Greek derby: Late Nedovic show hand Olympiacos their first home defeat of the season / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ANE Edition - Scanpix Credit ANE Edition - Scanpix

After 1,100 days, the fiercest derby came back to the Greek Basket League.

3-pointers this season

33%8,1Points made:8,1Accuracy:33,3%Place in standings:12Record max:15Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Daryl MaconTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Hosts Olympiacos Piraeus (6-1) welcomed the visiting Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (6-1) in front of 9500 fans at Peace and Friendship Stadium.

However, PAO managed to silence the arena, edging out Olympiacos 81-76 (15-14, 21-19, 12-26, 33-17) to skid the Reds' unbeaten home run in all competitions (preseason friendlies, Greek Basket League, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague).

This was PAO's 1000th Greek Basket League contest since 1992-93 when it turned pro. Panathinaikos are the first team to reach such a milestone.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

PAO's advantage reached the apex of 6 points at the start of the third quarter (39-33) but then it was all about Olympiacos. The Reds organized a massive 18-4 push to gain a 13-point lead (56-43). Sasha Vezenkov, Moustapha Fall, and Tyler Dorsey were raining buckets. Both clubs were separated by 11 points before the last period (59-48).

Panathinaikos opened the decisive 10 minutes with a mini 7-2 spurt (55-61). However, OLY stabilized their positions while Moustapha Fall was pouring points (67-55). PAO were not ready to raise the white flag yet. They arranged a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to just three points (64-67) with 4:37 to go. Nemanja Nedovic led the way, hitting a couple of treys.

The Serbian guard continued his solo performance, scoring 2+1 and another triple to give his team a minimal advantage (70-69) with 3 minutes on the clock. Leonidas Kaselakis made a three-pointer (73-70) while Kostas Sloukas converted both free throws on the other end (72-73).

Though, Nemanja Nedovic was not ready to stop. He hit a shot from deep to give his team a 4-point lead (76-72) with 1:42 to play.

Kostas Papanikolaou scored two points from the line but (74-76) but Howard Sant-Roos drained a crucial three for PAO (79-74) with 1:06 to go. Both teams exchanged with successful attacks but it was a favorable scenario for the Greens.

For the winners, Nemanja Nedovic was nearly unstoppable, posting 24 points (4/4 2PT, 4/8 3PT, 4/5 FT), 2 assists, and 21 PIR. He scored 16 points of 24 in the last period.

Sasha Vezenkov and Moustapha Fall posted a double-double each for OLY. The Bulgarian forward accumulated 19 points (6/8 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 4/7 FT), 10 rebounds, and 25 PIR while the French center had 17 points (6/7 2PT, 5/7 FT), 11 rebounds, 9 drawn fouls and 35 PIR.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

Olympiacos led by Sasha Vezenkov built an early 9-point lead (12-3). PAO were able to answer with a 13-2 run on their own to gain a one-point advantage (15-14) after the first quarter.

OLY spurted 9-0 in the second period to retake control of the game (27-21). Nevertheless, Panathinaikos responded and tied the game at 27.

On top of that, they closed the second quarter better and went to the locker room, being in front by 3 points (36-33). Greek duo of Ioannis Papapetrou and Georgios Papagiannis contributed with the baskets.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

Quincy Acy did not play for OLY due to gastroenteritis (stomach inflammation) while Livio Jean-Charles made the 12-man roster. Questionable Howard Sant-Roos played for PAO.

Panathinaikos: Nemanja Nedovic 24, Ioannis Papapetrou 13 (3 REB, 3 AST), Leonidas Kaselakis 11 (5 REB), Howard Sant-Roos 10 (4 REB, 3 AST), Georgios Papagiannis 8 (9 REB).

Olympiacos: Sasha Vezenkov 19 (10 REB), Moustapha Fall 17 (11 REB), Kostas Sloukas 10, Tyler Dorsey 7 (3 AST).

Full game highlights:

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