By Antonis Stroggilakis/ info@eurohoops.net
After the loss to archrival Panathinaikos, Olympiacos protested the final result because a time out which was called by Rick Pitino wasn’t given with 19.5 seconds left in overtime. However, the “Reds” ultimately decided to not support their protest.
Panathinaikos center George Papagiannis went to the free-throw line, made his second attempt (97-93), and the buzzer sounded. The referees started the game – they have the technical ability to turn the clock on by themselves – and said that they didn’t hear the sound of the buzzer, due to the loud fans of the arena.
In theory, the scorers’ table should have stopped the game. This didn’t happen, and that was the basis of Olympiacos‘ protest.
On a side note, Olympiacos clarified that they have no complaints from Panathinaikos’ hospitality.