Top-notch appearance offered Panathinaikos the possibility to walk out of the stifling PalaMensSana indoor arena victoriously, having out-staged Montepaschi Siena at its home by 72-53, getting to lead 2-1 in its Euroleague play –offs series.
It was only natural that Panathinaikos had complete control in the first half of the game, since from time to time its function was to perfection, numbers verifying this exact fact that was more than apparent on the floor. Spanoulis, Nicholas, Perperoglou, Tsartsaris and Batiste tip-off 5 for the “Greens”, managed from minute one to enforce their law on court, controlling rebounds and being present at every defensive assignment, matching up strength with strength, keeping their cool once understanding early on in the encounter that the fouls committed on them would not be awarded to them generously.
Panathinaikos trailed 7-6 at 4’30’’, flew ahead 7-10 at 5’20’’ led by Vassilis Spanoulis and got to a +6 advantage praise to a triple unleashed by Vspan (9-15, 7’10’’). At this point Siena seemed to find its good behavior and got not only to reduce but actually take the lead at first quarter buzzer, score 16-15. In the second quarter Panathinaikos’ dominance roared throughout the stadium. Three-pointers swooshed the net to pace the visitors and the score set opponents 16 points apart (23-39, 18’55’’) Pekovic getting to the basket before intermission found the score board reading 26-39, the “clover” not once having taken a trip to the charity line!
Numbers were to the least impressive and proof of all that took place in the first 20 minutes of the encounter. Siena had 5-out of-11 twos in the first quarter and 5-out of-16 in the entire first half. Panathinaikos overpowered in rebounds 22-to-9, Siena gathering only a single offensive rebound in part 1. Zeljko Obradovic watched his boys sink 5-out of-9 trifectas when Simone Pianigiani whilst studying the statistics in the locker rooms saw his team’s respective stats at 4-out of-12.
First time a Panathinaikos player got to the line was at minute 23, Vassilis Spanoulis being the culprit that made both shots to cruise his team to +19 (26-45). Tsartsaris kept up the good work in the rebound department but also while defending his backcourt providing breathers and solutions. Rhythm was in “clover” hands and Sarunas Jasikevicius celebrated his first three in the game as if it was his career breaker, sending the gap to a 20 point extent (33-53, 27’35’’). At the beginning of quarter 4, Spanoulis upped the ante to +25 (37-62), Jasikevicius contributed to +28 (39-67, 32’10’’) defense being executed at the highest of levels. Apparent in scoring since Siena got to 40 points after 35 whole minutes had already elapsed in the game, when Kaukenas offered two free shots to make the score 41-67, McIntyre having been chilled at 5 points up to now. Panathinaikos experienced one of its dry spells mostly in offense at this point, allowing Siena to reduce, getting from 39-67 to 46-67 (36’50’’) and then close the gap to 18 points (51-69, 38’10’’). The verdict had already been reached and the winner was none other than the “clover” that snatch the –at least- one win it so longed for in Italy behind 53-72, final score. The date of the rivals has been renewed for Thursday same place same time (21:45 GT)! In Montepaschi’s home where it stood undefeated since 2007! All this until tonight.
Referees: Jungebrand (FIN), Hierrezuelo (ESP), Dozai (CRO)
Quarters: 16-15, 26-39, 37-60, 53-72
Montepaschi Siena (Pianigiani): Domercant 12, McIntyre 13, Finley 6, Eze 2, Carraretto 1, Sato 2, Lavrinovic, Kaukenas 10, Ress, Stonerook 7
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Kecman, Spanoulis 13 (6rbs, 4as), Perperoglou 3, Batiste 6 (6rbs), Fotsis 6, Nicholas 13, Tsartsaris 8 (10rbs), Diamantidis 2 (5as), Pekovic 11 (6rbs), Sakota, Jasikevicius 10
