Olympiacos now heads to Madrid with a 2-0 series lead
Nikola Milutinov stepped up in Game 2 to turn the tide in comeback win
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After winning Game 1 with a solid performance against Real Madrid, the Olympiacos Piraeus players were aware that Los Blancos would react in the second battle of the series – and Chus Mateo’s side did so from the very tip. The visitors shared the ball well on offense, scoring more than one third of their 71 points in the first quarter and taking a 15-25 lead into the second frame.
Enter Nikola Milutinov. The Olympiacos center started the second quarter with a steal on defense and a bucket following an offensive rebound on the other end. He then scored 6 of Olympiacos’s next 9 points, keeping the hosts in the game while Real Madrid looked to establish a double-digit lead. The energy he brought from the bench was transmitted to his teammates, as the Greek side completed their comeback, tying the game 38-38 at halftime.
“If I have to mention something individually – something that I don’t usually do – I want to mention how Nikola Milutinov played today,” Georgios Bartzokas said in the post-game press conference. “It was an amazing performance, defensively and offensively, grabbing rebounds and playing for the team.”
Indeed, Milutinov netted all his 10 points in the crucial second quarter, preventing Real Madrid from pulling away before the break. He may not have added to his scoring tally in the second half, but the Olympiacos center ended the game with 6 rebounds, tied his season high of 3 assists and recorded a career-high 3 steals, contributing the most on defense.
When Bartzokas pulled him to the bench with 11 seconds left on the clock, Milutinov received a well-earned standing ovation, with a buzzing Peace and Friendship Stadium chanting his name.
“It’s always special when these amazing fans sing your name, but nobody’s personal performance matters,” a humble Milutinov told EuroLeague TV. “Now the only thing that matters is what the team is capable of, because it’s the playoffs and after that hopefully the Final Four.”
Having made the most of its home-court advantage by taking a 2-0 lead against Real Madrid, Olympiacos will travel to the Spanish capital next week in its bid to clinch what would be a club record fourth straight Final Four participation.
And with Milutinov averaging 10.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in the playoffs, the Reds are aware that they have a weapon that could make a huge impact off the bench.