Olympiacos assistant questions refs' calls, cites lack of protection for Vezenkov / News - Basketnews.com

Georgios Bozikas spoke about the rough treatment that Sasha Vezenkov received on the court, claiming that he was fouled about 200 times but obtained little protection from the refs. He also suggested that it was the intensity of the playoff series, rather than any individual player's defense, that made it difficult for Vezenkov to perform.

Credit: IMAGO/ANE Edition - Scanpix Credit IMAGO/ANE Edition - Scanpix

Olympiacos Piraeus assistant coach Georgios Bozikas shared his thoughts about the intense Game 4 that took place in Istanbul, particularly focusing on the rough treatment that Sasha Vezenkov received on the court.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Tyler Dorsey Points 16 Accuracy 6-13 Rebounds 3 Assists 2

Speaking to NOVA after the match, Bozikas expressed frustration that Olympiacos shot only 10 free throws given the level of contact and claimed that Vezenkov was fouled about 200 times but got nothing from the referees.

On the other end, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul stepped near the free-throw line 19 times.

"It's a game that had a lot of tension, contacts, and fouls. Some were given and a lot of them were not given," Bozikas underlined. "We have shot 10 free throws in this match -- it seems strange to me.

"These games have a special intensity," he added. "It's hard for someone to play two consecutive good games. It has happened to almost no one in the playoff series. Defenses are tough, emotions are high. It's very difficult for players to adapt.

"It has nothing to do with anything other than fighting for every possession. I don't think it's Nigel Hayes-Davis' defense that makes it difficult for Vezenkov. It's the consecutive games and let's not forget that he must have been fouled 200 times and got almost nothing. Our 10 free throws today are too few for such a game, considering the amount of contact it had."

Fenerbahce limited Vezenkov to a season-low 2 points in Game 4. That was one of the keys to extending the series and punching a ticket to Piraeus for the do-or-die Game 5, which is scheduled for Tuesday night (starts at 20:30 CEST).

Game highlights:

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