Larentzakis made the difference at Palau

Olympiacos Piraeus seemed to be in trouble early in the fourth quarter of its game against FC Barcelona at Palau Blaugrana. After getting a double-digit lead late in the third quarter, Barca got within 57-60 as the Reds desperately looked for answers on offense. In need of a go-to guy, Giannoulis Larentzakis made the difference in the game, giving Olympiacos a much-needed spark on offense.

Once Alec Peters hit a couple of free throws, Larentzakis started his own solo show, finishing Olympiacos's smooth ball circulation with a corner triple that made Barca call a timeout at 57-65. Larentzakis was far from being done, though. Next, he sank a catch-and-shoot three-pointer from the left wing, and then he beat the shot clock right in front of his defender to break the game open, 62-71, in the penultimate minute of the contest.

"First of all, we played very good defense. We controlled the rhythm very well," Larentzakis said after the match. "In the fourth quarter, we made some shots from the perimeter and I think that was the key. Every win is important, every game is a final for us. We started the season great and continue to the next game."

Larentzakis still had time for a final magic trick, a fourth three-pointer – from as many attempts – from the top of the key to round off a perfect fourth quarter. His 14 points in exactly 5 minutes allowed the Reds to steal a road victory in one of the toughest courts in Europe.