VALENCIA — Olympiacos Piraeus produced the biggest comeback in EuroLeague history, overturning a 28-point deficit to defeat Valencia Basket 102-97 after overtime on Tuesday at Roig Arena. The reigning champions recovered from a disastrous first half to secure a remarkable road victory in Round 5.
Jean Montero led Olympiacos with 26 points against his former team on 8-for-12 shooting, making nine of his 10 free throws and drawing 11 fouls, while Evan Fournier added 23 points. Nikola Mirotic scored a team-high 19 points for Valencia, who let a commanding advantage slip away despite placing five players in double figures.
Valencia appeared in complete control from the opening minutes. The hosts started with a 10-0 run, dictated the pace and scored 59 points before half-time to lead 59-34 at the break. They moved the ball effectively with 18 assists in the first 20 minutes while forcing nine Olympiacos turnovers, leaving head coach Georgios Bartzokas searching for answers as several key visitors struggled to make an impact.
Valencia extended the lead to 28 points just over two minutes into the second half, but Olympiacos refused to give up. The visitors outscored Valencia 25-12 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 71-59, then poured in 31 points in the fourth to erase the gap. Montero became the driving force of the revival, though he missed a potential game-winning three-pointer late in regulation with the score tied, before Olympiacos completed the turnaround by outscoring Valencia 12-7 in overtime.
Valencia had four other players in double figures as T.J. Shorts finished with 16 points, Kameron Taylor had 15, Armoni Brooks added 14 and Nathan Reuvers scored 13, but the hosts suffered their first defeat of the season after opening with four consecutive wins. Olympiacos improved to 4-1 to keep pace near the top of the standings, with both clubs now 4-1. The Greek side visit Barcelona on Friday, while Valencia host Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv on Thursday, after Olympiacos tied the EuroLeague record with their 28-point comeback.