Dorsey's Career Night Powers Olympiacos Victory
Olympiacos Piraeus delivered an emphatic statement at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, dismantling Real Madrid 100-82 in a crucial Round 36 EuroLeague encounter. The Greek powerhouse controlled proceedings from start to finish, establishing an early double-digit advantage and never looking back in front of their home crowd.
Tyler Dorsey was simply sensational, exploding for a game-high 37 points on remarkable efficiency. The American guard connected on 7-of-11 from beyond the arc and added 10-of-11 from the charity stripe, orchestrating Olympiacos' offensive attack with surgical precision. His 43 efficiency rating underscored a virtuoso performance that left Madrid's defense scrambling throughout the evening.
First Half Sets the Tone
Olympiacos seized control immediately, racing to a 31-19 first quarter advantage. Dorsey caught fire early, draining three first-quarter three-pointers as the Reds established their perimeter dominance. Sasha Vezenkov complemented Dorsey's outside shooting by attacking the basket, finishing the opening period with timely buckets that kept Madrid at arm's length.
The second quarter saw Real Madrid attempt to claw back into contention, outscoring Olympiacos 23-18. Walter Tavares provided interior presence for the visitors, converting high-percentage looks around the rim. Trey Lyles began finding his range from deep, knocking down crucial three-pointers to keep Madrid within striking distance. However, Olympiacos maintained their composure, taking a 49-42 advantage into the halftime break.
Third Quarter Surge Breaks Madrid's Spirit
The defining stretch came in the third period, where Olympiacos extended their lead to 23 points at 72-49. Dorsey continued his masterclass, adding another three three-pointers while drawing fouls and converting free throws with metronomic consistency. The American guard's ability to create his own shot while making the right play for teammates proved impossible for Madrid to contain.
Vezenkov emerged as the perfect secondary option, finishing with 24 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting performance. The Bulgarian forward showcased his complete offensive arsenal, knocking down three-pointers, attacking closeouts, and finishing through contact. His nine rebounds provided crucial possessions for the home side, limiting Madrid's second-chance opportunities.
Madrid's frustrations boiled over during the third quarter, with technical fouls assessed to both Frank Ntilikina and the coaching staff. The Spanish giants struggled to find offensive rhythm, managing just 15 points in the period as Olympiacos' defensive intensity reached its peak.
Madrid's Offensive Struggles
Real Madrid entered the contest riding mixed form, and their inconsistencies were laid bare against Olympiacos' organized defense. Facundo Campazzo worked tirelessly to create opportunities, finishing with 14 points and four assists, but the Argentine maestro lacked sufficient support from his teammates.
Lyles provided the most consistent scoring punch for Madrid, tallying 22 points including six three-pointers on eight attempts. However, his efforts proved insufficient as Olympiacos' balanced attack overwhelmed the visitors. Mario Hezonja endured a frustrating evening, managing just six points while committing four costly turnovers that fueled Olympiacos transition opportunities.
Tavares battled inside for 15 points and nine rebounds, but the Cape Verdean center received little help defending the perimeter. Madrid's inability to contain Olympiacos' three-point barrage—the hosts connected on 13-of-24 from distance—proved decisive. The visitors struggled with ball security, committing numerous turnovers that Olympiacos converted into easy transition baskets.
Supporting Cast Delivers
While Dorsey and Vezenkov grabbed headlines, Olympiacos received crucial contributions throughout their roster. Nikola Milutinov anchored the paint defense while providing five points and six rebounds. His interior presence forced Madrid into difficult shots and altered numerous attempts around the basket.
Shaquielle McKissic provided an important spark off the bench, contributing 10 points including a critical three-pointer. Thomas Walkup controlled tempo when Dorsey rested, dishing three assists while knocking down a three-pointer. The American guard's steady play-making ensured Olympiacos maintained offensive flow regardless of lineup combinations.
Donta Hall energized the Peace and Friendship Stadium with his high-flying athleticism, finishing with nine points on perfect shooting from inside the arc. His defensive activity, including two steals, disrupted Madrid's offensive sets and created easy scoring opportunities in transition.
Fourth Quarter Formality
The final period became an extended victory lap for Olympiacos, who outscored Madrid 28-25 to seal the comprehensive victory. With the outcome decided, both coaches utilized their benches extensively, providing valuable minutes to reserve players. Cory Joseph orchestrated the offense efficiently, distributing six assists while the home crowd celebrated their team's dominant performance.
Madrid showed pride in the closing minutes, with Gabriel Deck adding nine points and Andres Feliz contributing seven. However, these contributions merely made the final scoreline more respectable rather than threatening Olympiacos' comfortable advantage.
Playoff Implications
This victory continues Olympiacos' push for favorable playoff positioning as the regular season enters its final stages. The Reds demonstrated the type of complete performance—balanced scoring, defensive intensity, and home court dominance—that makes them dangerous against any opponent. Their ability to generate quality three-point attempts while protecting the paint defensively provides a blueprint for postseason success.
For Real Madrid, this defeat represents a setback in their playoff aspirations. The Spanish powerhouse must regroup quickly, addressing their perimeter defense and ball security issues that plagued them throughout this contest. With crucial games remaining, Madrid cannot afford similar lapses if they hope to secure a top playoff seed.
Olympiacos' 18-point victory margin accurately reflected their superiority across all four quarters, sending a clear message to EuroLeague contenders that the Reds are peaking at precisely the right moment.
