Panathinaikos achieved its goal! The series is tied (2-2), after edging CSKA Moscow 73-72, in overtime at OAKA and now the team has already set the next goal: To win in Russia on the way to the Euroleague Final Four.
Panathinaikos seemed to be making the perfect entering in the game. After 0-2 (0'40'') and 2-4 (1'30''), Greens took over with Jonas Maciulis in the leading role. Stephane Lasme and Antonis Fotsis stood tall on the floor too. The margin got to 7 points (13-6, 5'45'') and later on to 9 points (19-10, 8'). CSKA clawed its way back to 21-16 (10'). Russians used a 6-0 to tie the game (21-21), but James Gist was there with a three point play (24-21, 12'), the guest got within one point (24-23, 12'10''). The two teams fought, changing the lead in the game, before CSKA get to a +6 lead (32-38, 18'). Panathinaikos didn't give up. Mavrokefalidis and Gist cut the margin to 1 point (37-38). The bad news was that for one more game Jonas Maciulis as in foul trouble, with 3 fouls (18').
Vorontsevich and Jackson matched CSKA's biggest lead from the first half (37-43, 22'10''). Back to back threes by Diamantidis and Maciulis tied the game (43-43, 23'20''). Lasme converted a three point play (46-43, 24'20''). Russians got the lead again (46-47, 25'45''), but Panathinaikos was there to reply (51-47, 27'30''). After another tie (51-51, 31'10''), Greens got to +8 (59-51, 33'30'') and later on to 63-54 (36'50''). Weems was there for CSKA and with 8 points in a row made it again a one point game (63-62, 39'). Bramos missed the shot, Ukic got the offensive rebound and he was fouled with 3'' on the clock. He had 1/2 (64-62) and CSKA send the game to the overtime with Vitaly Fridzon (64-64).
Panathinaikos got the lead first (66-64). Russian were there to make it (64-67). Greens got a lead for a while (68-67), only for CSKA to make it (68-71). Fotsis gave hope to Panathinaikos again nailing a three pointer for yet another tie in the game (71-71). Dimitris Diamantidis was the one to seal the victory. With 18.000 fans chanting his name, the captain of Panathinaikos was sharp from the charity line (73-71), with 40'' to go. Weems had 1/2 from the free throw line, he cut the deficit to one point (73-72), and this was the final score.
Referees: Hierrezuelo (Spain), Sahin (Italy), Latisevs (Latvia)
Quarters: 21-16, 37-38, 51-48, 64-64 (κα), 73-72
Panathinaikos (Alvertis): Bramos, Curry 2, Batiste 2, Fotsis 8, Ukic 3 (4as), Lasme 14 (5r), Mavrokefalidis 10, Diamantidis 7 (3st, 6a), Gist 12, Maciulis 15 (5r), Wright
CSKA Moscow (Messina): Micov 15, Fridzon 8, Jackson 9, Pargo 5, Krstic 1, Weems 14, Vorontsevich 5, Kaun 11, Khryapa 2, Hines 2
