Stadium: Elliniko
Tickets: 2000
The game at the Elliniko arena was expected to be tough and this was something that the players of Panathinaikos knew very well. Indeed they really had to sweat it out in order to beat Panionios by 87-78. The N. Smirni team was a tough opponent that fought hard for the win and tried to take advantage of the fact that PAO were not at their best. In the end though, the better team won as Panathinaikos demonstrated their class and experience in the crucial moments of the game. Sani Becirovic killed Panionios from the three-point line in the third period, Kostas Tsartsaris was consistently good during the whole game and Vassilis Spanoulis had a effective game in offense in the last period. Panionios started the game strongly and led by Kalampokis and Georgalis took a lead that reached 5 points in 13.30΄(33-28), but Panathinaikos replied back quickly, taking a 35-38 lead in the 17th (Jasikevicius three-pointer) and had the upper hand at the end of the first half (41-42). It was the same picture in the second half with Panionios more effective, taking a 54-44 lead in 24.30΄, but it was time for Becirovic to act; his three-pointer at 26΄(56-48) started PAO’s comeback. Tsartsaris and Zizic were doing a good job under the boards and the margin started to get cut. With 2/2 Becirovic free throws, PAO took the lead 66-68 (33.30΄) and showed capable of winning it. Three minutes before the end PAO took a 7-point lead (68-75), getting the win and keeping their unbeaten record.
Score by periods: 21-18, 41-42 (HT), 63-62, 78-87
