Jabari Parker had 24 points including two crucial threes in the fourth quarter and FC Barcelona held off Olympiacos comeback to get a 77-69 win and tie EuroLeague playoff series at 1-1. The Catalans played great defensively keeping Olympiacos out of the paint and allowing him to shoot the ball from three.
The visitors made only 8 of their 27 three-point attempts and committed 19 turnovers. The Catalans had 9 makes from beyond the arc with 4 of them coming from Jabari Parker who helped FC Barcelona stood tall after losing a 27-14 lead from the first quarter.
Aside from Parker, Alex Abrines had 9 on 2-of-3 shooting from deep and Willy Hernangomez added 12 as FC Barcelona dominated the offensive glass with 15 offensive rebounds. Jan Vesely won every battle under Olympiacos basket as he had 10 points and seven offensive rebounds.
Olympiacos struggled to get inside the paint and shot poorly from deep. Alec Peters led the way with 20 points for the Greek giants, while Shaquille McKissic and Nigel Williams-Goss scored 10 each. Thomas Walkup ended the game with 7 assists but was targetted in the offensive end shooting just 1-of-8 from deep.
The two teams will meet again next week in the Peace and Friendship stadium for Games 3 and 4.
Olympiacos came back from down 14 but suffered an offensive blackout in 4th quarter
FC Barcelona entered the game with the goal to grab the momentum of the contest and create a reliable advantage against Olympiacos. Jabari Parker led the way and FC Barcelona took a 23-12 lead. Parker scored another shot at the buzzer and the home side started the game in the best way possible taking a 27-14 advantage.
Olympiacos returned on the court with the hope to turn the game around and was able to steadily cut the deficit down. Shaquille McKissic scored 7 consecutive points and Olympiacos closed the gap to 34-30 midway the 2nd quarter. Olympiacos lost control of his offensive rhythm again as FC Barcelona answered back for the 41-34 before the Reds close the half down six (43-37).
By denying Walkup, Barcelona blocked Olympiakos at the start of the second half, the Catalans’ lead went up to 11 (48-37) in two minutes, but did not escape further.
Olympiacos remained patient, Williams-Goss hit a huge 3-pointer from the side for the 52-50, and a layup for 52-54 with 3 minutes on the clock. Grimau had the answer again as he used Willy Hernangomez postup game to end the third period ahead 60-57.
Olympiacos tried even more but turnovers and huge plays from Abrines and Parker brought FC Barcelona closer to the win. The two FC Barcelona stars hit back-to-back three and the home side went ahead 74-64. The Reds could not recover from that and dropped the game.
