PAO Pushes Olympiacos to the Brink, Forces Game 5: Shorts and Toliopoulos Emerge as Green Heroes!

How else could it have ended but with a thrilling finish in a rivalry that never disappoints? Sasha Vezenkov stepped up to play the hero, sinking a three-pointer for a 69-66 lead right in front of the Greens' most passionate fans.

Nigel Hayes-Davis responded with a three-pointer of his own, leaving just over a minute and thirty seconds on the clock. Evan Fournier attempted a three-pointer on the other end, but the ball bounced so high it got stuck between the backboard and the shot clock.

PAO failed to score on their next possession, and Fournier missed another three-pointer. The ball found its way to Hayes-Davis, but Olympiacos' defense was so stifling that he had to pass to Juancho Hernangomez, who also missed a three. Fournier then brought the ball downcourt, passed to Vezenkov, but the Bulgarian missed the game-winning shot, sending the game into overtime.

The shootout continued in overtime. Vezenkov came alive during this period, while Vasilis Toliopoulos made a poor shot selection. Vezenkov then calmly banked in a shot for a five-point lead. The drama wasn't over. Vezenkov fouled Toliopoulos, and everyone in the OAKA arena clamored for an unsportsmanlike foul, but it wasn't called. Olympiacos remained stuck at 79 points for a long time, giving Mitoglou a chance to put the Greens ahead from the free-throw line.

He made one free throw, and with 37 seconds left in overtime, Olympiacos missed a shot for the lead. Toliopoulos then missed a game-winning shot over Milutinov, sending the game into a second overtime. The Greens were without Jerian Grant and Kendrick Nunn for the extra periods.

Olympiacos' offense stalled. Fatigue certainly played a role, but T.J. Shorts took charge with his heroics in the second overtime. Fournier responded with four points, but the Reds completely collapsed in the second extra period.

Fournier finished the game with 26 points, but he missed a significant number of shots towards the end. Walkup had 19 points for Olympiacos, and the decisive Game 5 will be scheduled at a later date.

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