The first week of the playoffs in the EuroLeague has ended – it was closed by two clubs represented by Lithuanians.
Barcelona’s Barcelona with Roku Jokubaičius took revenge on Piraeus Olympiacos club at home with Igna Brazdeikiu – 77:69 (27:14, 16:23, 17:20, 17:12).
The match started evenly, the result reflected this after six minutes of play – 12:12. The Catalans then went on an 11-0 run before being stopped by points from Alec Peters (23-14). Rokas Jokubaitis, who had just entered the field with a productive pass and two points, closed the quarter with Jabari Parker – 27:14.
Tomaš Satoransky, who scored his first points in the quarter-final series, came a little closer to the Greeks – 30:20. As Olympiacos extended its run, Shaquielle McKissic hit a layup with a foul (34-28). Jan Vesely scored two layups, the hosts went to the locker room leading 43:37.
After the long break, the difference between the teams began to melt, Nigel Williams-Goss’ two-pointer briefly put the guests ahead – 55:54. This woke up the hosts, and R. Jokubaitis again weighed the result – 58:57. The Catalans managed to finish the quarter successfully, thanks to Willy Hernangomez and defending against the opponents’ last attack – 60:57.
In the fourth quarter, the situation of the Catalans was once again stabilized by R. Jokubaitis’ mid-range shot, J. Parker returned a double-digit lead with a three-pointer, T. Satoransky charged in a fast attack (76:64). The Greeks did not recover after this section.
Having played solidly, R. Jokubaitis withstood the load for almost the entire fourth quarter, sitting on the bench only two minutes before the game. The Lithuanian collected a total of 6 points (3/6 double-pointers, 0/1 three-pointer), 3 rebounds and a turnover, 4 assists, 2 fouls and 6 utility points in 19 minutes.
“Olympiacos” did not use the services of I. Brazdeikis in this match.
The Piraeus club created problems by making mistakes twice as often as its opponents (19:10) and shooting three-pointers much worse – 8/27, 30 percent versus 9/19, 47 percent.
The result of the series up to three victories became equal – 1:1. However, the home field advantage was not taken away by the Catalans, as the next two matches of the series will be held in Piraeus.
Barcelona: Jabari Parker 24 (4/7 3-pointer, 5 rpg), Willy Hernangomez 11 (5/10 2-pointer), Jan Vesely 10 (3/8 2-pointer, 7 rpg), Alejandro Abrines 9, Tomas Satoransky 7 ( 4 rez.), Rokas Jokubaitis 6 (4 rez.).
Olympiacos: Alec Peters 20 (3/5 3-pointers, 5 rebounds), Nigel Williams-Goss (3 refs) and Shaquielle McKissic 10 each, Thomas Walkup 7 (7 refs, 1/8 3-pointers) .
“Long break”: Wolves lineup for next season – which players lived up to expectations and who disappointed, who is worth keeping, candidates to strengthen the squad in the summer, the question mark over Pacevičius’ future and the figure of Maksvytis
