Olympiacos Secures Crucial Away Win Against Struggling ASVEL
Olympiacos Piraeus delivered a professional road performance to defeat LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 82-74 in Round 35 of the EuroLeague season at the LDLC Arena. The Greek powerhouse controlled the tempo throughout the contest, never trailing after the opening quarter and withstanding multiple home team rallies to claim a vital victory on French soil.
The win provides significant relief for Olympiacos after a difficult stretch that saw them lose four consecutive games entering this matchup. For ASVEL, the defeat extends their troubling form, marking their sixth loss in seven games and further complicating their playoff aspirations with the regular season winding down.
Vezenkov Leads Balanced Olympiacos Attack
Sasha Vezenkov proved to be the difference-maker for Olympiacos, delivering an all-around performance that showcased his versatility. The Bulgarian forward finished with a game-high 23 points on efficient 8-of-16 shooting, adding seven rebounds and drawing five fouls while committing none himself. His efficiency rating of 26 led all players on the court.
Vezenkov's ability to score from multiple levels kept ASVEL's defense off-balance throughout the evening. He converted 7-of-13 attempts inside the arc and knocked down a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter that helped stem an ASVEL comeback attempt. His 6-of-7 performance from the free-throw line also proved vital in the closing stages as Olympiacos looked to protect their lead.
Supporting Vezenkov's efforts, Donta Hall provided exceptional energy off the bench with a perfect shooting performance. The American center went 4-for-4 from the field and 6-for-6 from the charity stripe, accumulating 14 points along with six rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes. His efficiency rating of 23 ranked second on the team, demonstrating his impact during crucial stretches.
ASVEL's Offensive Struggles Continue
The French side struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the contest, managing just 74 points on 42.6 percent shooting from the field. ASVEL's inability to protect the basketball proved particularly costly, as they committed 13 turnovers that Olympiacos converted into transition opportunities.
Melvin Ajinca led ASVEL's scoring efforts with 17 points, including an impressive 5-of-10 performance from beyond the arc. The French forward kept his team within striking distance during several stretches, particularly in the second half when ASVEL attempted to mount a comeback. However, his teammates struggled to provide adequate support, leaving Ajinca's efforts ultimately in vain.
Braian Angola contributed 14 points and displayed tremendous persistence, getting to the free-throw line seven times and converting all his attempts. The Colombian guard added three steals and two assists, showing flashes of the defensive intensity ASVEL needed more consistently. Unfortunately, his three turnovers and the team's overall inability to string together defensive stops prevented ASVEL from capitalizing on their moments of momentum.
First Quarter Sets the Tone
The opening period established the pattern that would define the evening. Olympiacos emerged from the first ten minutes with a narrow 25-24 advantage, built primarily on the hot shooting of Tyler Dorsey. The Greek-American guard erupted for nine points in the quarter, connecting on all three of his three-point attempts to give the visitors an early psychological edge.
ASVEL's Braian Angola kept the home side competitive with five free throws in the opening frame, part of a remarkable perfect 7-for-7 performance from the line on the night. However, the defensive intensity that would be required to contain Olympiacos never fully materialized, allowing the Greek club to establish their offensive rhythm early.
Second Quarter Separates the Teams
The second period proved decisive as Olympiacos outscored ASVEL 22-15 to take a 47-39 advantage into halftime. The Greek side's bench provided crucial contributions during this stretch, with Monte Morris and Alec Peters combining for seven points while maintaining defensive discipline.
ASVEL's offensive struggles became more pronounced as the quarter progressed. Shaquille Harrison provided a brief spark with a three-pointer late in the period, but the home team managed just 15 points overall in the frame. The French club's 6-of-20 shooting from the field during the quarter reflected their growing frustration against Olympiacos's organized defensive scheme.
Thomas Heurtel attempted to orchestrate ASVEL's offense from the point guard position, finishing the half with three assists, but the execution around him remained inconsistent. Olympiacos's ability to contest shots without fouling limited ASVEL's trips to the free-throw line, where they had found success in the opening quarter.
Olympiacos Maintains Control After Halftime
The third quarter saw Olympiacos extend their advantage to 61-58, continuing to answer every ASVEL challenge with composed basketball. Vezenkov took over during this period, scoring eight points including a crucial and-one opportunity that energized the Greek bench.
ASVEL showed signs of life midway through the quarter when Ajinca connected on consecutive three-pointers, cutting the deficit to single digits and igniting hope among the home crowd. However, Olympiacos responded immediately through Thomas Walkup's facilitating and Nikola Milutinov's interior presence, never allowing the margin to become truly threatening.
The Serbian center Milutinov provided steady contributions throughout the third period, using his size advantage to secure rebounds and create second-chance opportunities. His seven offensive boards on the night exemplified the effort level that allowed Olympiacos to control the glass, finishing with a 35-33 advantage in total rebounds.
Fourth Quarter Execution Seals Victory
ASVEL made one final push in the fourth quarter, with Ajinca and Angola combining for 11 points to keep the game within reach. The home crowd sensed an opportunity when Mbaye Ndiaye converted a pair of baskets to cut the lead to five points with under four minutes remaining.
However, Olympiacos demonstrated championship poise down the stretch. Vezenkov's three-pointer with 8:14 remaining pushed the lead back to double digits at 68-58, effectively ending ASVEL's hopes of a dramatic comeback. The Greek side then methodically worked the shot clock and converted free throws, with Hall going 6-for-6 from the line in the final period.
Evan Fournier, playing against his former organization, tried to spark ASVEL with his playmaking ability, finishing with six assists. The French guard's three-pointer late in the contest provided a brief moment of excitement, but by then Olympiacos had already secured the necessary cushion to close out the victory professionally.
Defensive Discipline Proves Decisive
Olympiacos's defensive execution proved to be the difference in this contest. The Greek club forced 13 ASVEL turnovers while committing just eight themselves, demonstrating superior ball security and decision-making throughout the forty minutes.
Shaquielle McKissic provided valuable minutes off the bench for Olympiacos, contributing six points and four rebounds while playing physical defense against ASVEL's wings. His three trips to the free-throw line, converting four of five attempts, exemplified the Greek side's ability to attack the basket and draw fouls at crucial moments.
For ASVEL, the turnover issues compounded their offensive struggles. The home team converted just 23-of-54 field goal attempts (42.6 percent), with their three-point shooting particularly problematic at 8-of-28 (28.6 percent). This inefficiency allowed Olympiacos to control pace and dictate terms throughout the contest.
Looking Forward
This victory provides Olympiacos with crucial momentum as they attempt to solidify their playoff positioning in the final weeks of the regular season. The balanced scoring attack, with four players reaching double figures, suggests the Greek club is rounding into form at precisely the right moment despite their recent struggles.
ASVEL faces an increasingly difficult path forward, with this sixth loss in seven games raising serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. The French club will need to rediscover their defensive identity and improve their offensive efficiency if they hope to salvage their season and make a late playoff push. The continued struggles of their starting lineup, particularly in protecting the basketball and generating efficient shot opportunities, must be addressed immediately.
