Olympiacos Claims Hard-Fought Victory in Vitoria-Gasteiz
Olympiacos Piraeus began their EuroLeague campaign with an impressive 102-96 road victory over Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 1 action at Buesa Arena. The Greek powerhouse demonstrated their championship credentials by controlling the tempo throughout the contest, never trailing after establishing an early lead in the opening quarter.
The visiting side set the tone immediately, racing to a 27-20 advantage after the first ten minutes. While Baskonia showed resilience by winning the second quarter 28-22, they could never quite bridge the gap as Olympiacos maintained their composure in front of 8,572 passionate Basque fans. The Greeks' ability to answer every home team surge proved decisive in securing the six-point victory.
Vezenkov Leads Balanced Offensive Attack
Sasha Vezenkov delivered a masterclass performance for Olympiacos, recording a game-high 24 points alongside 13 rebounds for an impressive double-double. The Bulgarian forward's efficiency rating of 27 led all players, as he showcased his versatility by hitting 6-of-12 from two-point range and adding two three-pointers. His perfect 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line in crucial moments helped seal the victory.
Tyler Dorsey provided exceptional support with 21 points in over 32 minutes of action. The American guard's aggressive approach earned him 10 free-throw attempts, converting nine of them while contributing four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. His plus-11 rating underscored his impact on both ends of the floor throughout the contest.
Nikola Milutinov dominated the paint with another double-double performance of 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Serbian center's seven offensive rebounds were particularly crucial in generating second-chance opportunities for the visitors. His perfect 4-for-4 showing from the charity stripe and team-best plus-16 rating highlighted his two-way dominance.
Walkup Orchestrates from Point Guard
Thomas Walkup served as the catalyst for Olympiacos' offensive flow, distributing eight assists while playing stellar defense with three steals. The naturalized Greek guard's plus-24 rating was the game's highest, demonstrating his profound impact despite modest scoring numbers. His ability to take care of the basketball, committing zero turnovers in nearly 28 minutes, proved invaluable in maintaining offensive efficiency.
Evan Fournier added 10 points in just over 25 minutes, showing his scoring touch around the basket with three made two-pointers. The French veteran's plus-18 rating indicated his positive contribution to the winning effort, while Donta Hall provided solid minutes off the bench with eight points and two rebounds.
Bench Production Provides Crucial Edge
The Olympiacos bench contributed significantly to the victory, with Tyson Ward delivering an efficient 11 points on perfect 2-for-2 shooting from the field. Ward's six made free throws in six attempts showcased his composure under pressure. Alec Peters chipped in seven points on 3-of-5 shooting, including a three-pointer, while Saben Lee added four points and two assists in limited minutes.
Luwawu-Cabarrot Shines in Losing Effort
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot emerged as Baskonia's most effective weapon off the bench, erupting for 23 points on an impressive 8-of-13 shooting performance. The French wing connected on five three-pointers and grabbed six rebounds while posting a game-high efficiency rating of 25 among home players. Despite his heroics, it wasn't enough to overcome the visitors' balanced attack.
Trent Forrest orchestrated the Baskonia offense admirably with 14 points and a game-high 10 assists, becoming the only player from either team to reach double-digit assists. The American guard's plus-14 rating suggested he was on the court during the home team's most effective stretches, though ultimately they couldn't sustain their momentum.
Howard and Diallo Provide Scoring Punch
Markus Howard struggled with efficiency but still managed 12 points, connecting on four three-pointers despite an off-shooting night overall. The diminutive guard's ability to create space and fire from deep kept Baskonia within striking distance during critical stretches.
Hamidou Diallo provided athleticism and energy with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including four offensive rebounds that generated second-chance opportunities. His aggressive drives to the basket earned three free-throw attempts, though his minus-2 rating indicated the team struggled slightly during his minutes.
Sedekerskis and Diop Contribute in Starting Roles
Tadas Sedekerskis added eight points and five rebounds for Baskonia, connecting on two three-pointers while facilitating with two assists. The Lithuanian forward's plus-8 rating showed he performed well during his nearly 25 minutes of court time.
Khalifa Diop anchored the paint defense with seven rebounds, five on the offensive glass, while contributing three assists and two blocks. The Senegalese center's plus-11 rating demonstrated his positive impact, though his limited offensive production of just three points highlighted Baskonia's struggles to establish an inside presence.
Bench Struggles Hamper Baskonia's Comeback Attempts
While Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot excelled, other Baskonia reserves struggled to provide consistent support. Markquis Nowell endured a difficult outing with four turnovers against just two assists, finishing with a team-worst minus-25 rating despite scoring six points.
Luka Samanic added seven points but committed three turnovers and posted a minus-15 rating, while Clement Frisch contributed eight points with two three-pointers but couldn't stem the tide with his minus-15 rating. Matteo Spagnolo managed just two assists without scoring in his minutes.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The game's narrative was established in the opening quarter when Olympiacos seized control with a 27-20 advantage. Baskonia responded with their best quarter in the second period, outscoring the visitors 28-22 to cut the halftime deficit to just four points at 49-48.
The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Olympiacos maintaining their slight edge by winning the period 24-22. The final quarter proved decisive as the Greek side's experience and composure shone through, outscoring Baskonia 29-26 to secure the six-point victory margin.
Championship Experience Proves Decisive
The difference in this contest ultimately came down to Olympiacos' championship pedigree and depth. Their ability to maintain defensive intensity while rotating fresh legs proved crucial in the final quarter. The visitors' plus-minus differential told the story, with multiple players posting double-digit positive ratings.
Olympiacos shot efficiently when it mattered most, particularly from the free-throw line where they capitalized on their opportunities. Their 16 offensive rebounds generated numerous second-chance points that kept Baskonia from establishing any sustained momentum.
Looking Ahead
This opening victory sends a strong message that Olympiacos Piraeus will be a force to reckon with throughout the EuroLeague season. Their balanced scoring attack, defensive intensity, and championship experience make them legitimate contenders once again. The combination of Vezenkov's all-around excellence, Dorsey's scoring prowess, and Milutinov's interior presence provides coach with multiple weapons.
For Baskonia, the loss reveals areas needing improvement, particularly bench consistency and late-game execution. However, the strong performances from Luwawu-Cabarrot and Forrest offer encouragement. As the season progresses, integrating their talented roster more cohesively will be essential for success in this highly competitive league.
