Panathinaikos secured its position to the Euroleague Play Offs for the fourth consecutive time by edging Unicaja Malaga 69-60 in front of 13200 fans at OACA, for Top16, Round 13. At the same time Fenerbahce Ulker was defeated by Laboral Kutxa in Spain 95-73.
Unicaja Malaga was the team that got a narrow lead first in the game (2-6, 3'45''). Rebounds was the key word for the Spaniards getting to 8-1 after five minutes in the game. Greens began to find their balance, defense led the way, shots were on target and a new scene was set at OACA. They led 16-7 (7'50'') with Ramel Curry executing from beyond the arc, while at the same time Mike Bramos was giving energy and much wanted rebounds. Stephane Lasme led the margin to double digits for the first time (23-12, 11'37'') and Mike Batiste gave a 12 point lead to the team (24-12, 12'16'') by splitting free throws. Unicaja Malaga tried to regain its confidence after losing all their 11 three point shots in the first 16 minutes of the game. Ryan Toolson scored the first one and his team cut the lead to 5 points (28-23, 17'30''). The same difference sealed the first half (33-28). The bad news for Panathinaikos was that Stephane Lasme had already 3 fouls while Ukic, Gkist and Wright had 2 each.
Maciulis nailed a corner three pointer immediately after the break but Unicaja Malaga kept fighting, managing a tie (37-37, 24'30''). Panathinaikos awakened the team found solutions through defense, fought back in offense and used a 10-0 run to make it a 10 point game again (47-37 (27') behind a three pointer by Antonis Fotsis. Another three point shot by Loukas Mavrokefalidis led to 55-41.
Diamantidis already doing a great job since the tip off, was a true leader in fourth period. He scored in every possible way, while Mike Bramos with 1/2 from the charity line gave Panathinaikos its biggest lead (65-47, 34'30'', +18). Greens have secured the victory, Unicaja Malaga tried to cut the deficit all the way to the final 69-60.
Referees: Belosevic (Serbia), Rocha (Portugal), Javor (Slovenia)
Quarters: 19-12, 33-28, 55-41, 69-60
Panathinaikos (Alvertis): Bramos 9, Curry 8, Batiste 3, Fotsis 4, Ukic 7, Lasme 10, Mavrokefalidis 3, Diamantidis 13 (4r, 6a), Gist 6, Maciulis 5 (5r), Wright 2
Unicaja Malaga (Plaza): Sabonis 7, Urtasun 3, Calloway, Suarez 7, Granger 8, Vazquez 8, Toolson 6, Kuzminskas 2, Dragic 6,Caner-Medley 1, Stimac 12
