A historic title wave that sent Olympiacos flying into EuroLeague final / News - Basketnews.com

Sasha Vezenkov, Kostas Papanikoloau, Isaiah Canaan, and Moustapha Fall share their reactions after the incredible 3rd quarter, with the American guard saying that it looked like a 'title wave'.

Credit: Alius Koroliovas/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Alius Koroliovas/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

After suffering from Vasilije Micic's buzzer-beater last year, it seemed Olympiacos Piraeus could throw away another shot at the championship game this season.

3-pointers this season

37%9,6Points made:9,6Accuracy:37,1%Place in standings:5Record max:19Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Aleksandr VezenkovTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The regular season winners started the game slowly, and even the easiest layups didn't turn into points.

Trailing by 12 points at halftime, Olympiacos didn't look like a team we used to see throughout the regular season. Only 8 made field goals, and only 50% shooting from the free throw line (9/18).

However, what happened in the third period, went straight to the history books.

27-2.

That was the 3rd quarter score that completely changed the picture and story of the game.

Olympiacos started flying straight at the beginning of the quarter, with Kostas Papanikolaou making two 2-and-1 plays. In both cases, tricky layups found a net, which was already a different view from the first half.

On top of that, Papanikolaou sank a 3-pointer, inspiring a 14-0 run that eventually allowed Olympiacos to break the game and clinch a ticket to the final.

"I cannot really explain it," Papanikolaou was short for words after the game. "Maybe it was the nervousness, pressure, willingness to make it [into the final] and help your team."

"The most important thing was that, in my mind, I didn't want to leave without fighting. We didn't fight in the first half. We allowed Monaco to play their game, and we didn't do anything about it. Everybody gave everything. That's the team effort," Olympiacos captain added.

Almost every Olympiacos player, including Sasha Vezenkov, pointed out that the pressure and emotions were on top of the team during the first half.

After finishing the first half with 6 points on a 2 for 6 shooting, the regular season MVP ended with 19 points (5/8 2PT, 2/6 3PT, 3/4 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 19 PIR.

Isaiah Canaan

Team:Olympiacos PiraeusPosition:PGAge:32Height:183 cmWeight:85 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

"We had to be calmer," Vezenkov explained. "We weren't concentrated enough. We missed easy shots, open shots, and free throws. We cleared our heads, played some great defense, and scored easy baskets."

"Coach told us to just calm down," Isaiah Canaan revealed. "We struggled offensively, missing free throws, layups, open shots. I tried to turn the intensity up, and we also had some big shots from Vezenkov, Fall. It really changed the momentum of the game."

However, simply saying 'calm down' sounds like a thing that's easier said than done. So, how Olympiacos found a switch in themselves?

"We put ourselves in that position," Canaan explained. "This type of games bring a lot of nerves. We needed to calm down and get back to playing a solid basketball we played the whole year."

Nevertheless, you don't see quarters with such a score every day. After being asked what one word they would use to describe such a period, Olympiacos players found many options.

"Passion. Hustle. Energy," said Vezenkov. "We know they have super talented players, especially in the backcourt. Everybody made an extra step in trying to limit this team. We allowed like 60-something points, and that was our goal."

"Amazing," Moustapha Fall said after the game. "We were feeling like nobody could stop us. Fans gave us a lot of energy. Every player on the court was playing so hard. I really enjoyed it."

Canaan went a step further, giving all the credit to the Olympiacos' defense.

"I'd call it a title wave," Olympiacos guard said. "It was a big, big wave of defense. We got a lot of stops, a lot of executed plays, and you know, defense wins championships. That's what we need to pride ourselves on to ultimately win the whole thing."

The last time Olympiacos won the EuroLeague was back in the 2012-13 season. The Greek powerhouse made the final in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 campaigns but, on both occasions, was defeated by CSKA Moscow.

This is where Olympiacos captain Papanikolaou comes in.

"We're hungry dogs, as my teammates say, we are hungry for this trophy," Papanikolaou said after the game. "In the third quarter, everybody fought as hell, gave everything. We shifted the momentum, we opened up the space, we gained confidence, and then shots started falling, and everything started working for us."

That title wave will certainly be needed on Sunday as Olympiacos could become the first championship team after claiming the first seed in the regular season.

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