Panathinaikos swept the semifinal series 3-0, after edging PAOK in Thessaloniki 72-65. Greens are now getting ready for the final series against Olympiacos. The Basket League OPAP finals series will begin on Thursday the 22nd of May at OAKA.
The game seemed to be a "copy" of the first two games of the series. PAOK led the game first. Gist made the first field goal (0-2), but Tsairelis and Bogris gave the lead back to their team (7-2, 3'). Another duet, Diamantidis and Ukic, took over to make it an one point game again (9-10, 7'), but the home team run a 7-0 (16-10). Panathinaikos tied the game with Diamantidis (16-16) who was already in foul trouble in the first quarter.
The two teams went hand in hand in the game, without managing to build a lead (19-18 11', 19-23 13'10''). Loukas Mavrokefalidis was there for PAOK (21-28, 14'). PAOK had his answer ready with Bogris, Charalampidis and Cooper (32-28, 17'20''). Payne came to help (35-30, 15'), before Ramel Curry with two three pointers give the lead back to his crew (25-26, 19'30''), while Roko Leni Ukic was the one to make it 37-38 at the half time.
Curry helped Panathinaikos build a 4point lead (37-41, 20'30''), but the game wasn't over yet. The two teams went on to another tie (41-41, 21'20'') before James Gist with two three point shots made a 6 point game (41-47, 23'). Curry was sharp beyond the arc again (42-50, 24'10''). Panathinaikos found solutions behind the arc counting 11/25. Mike Bramos followed the same path with 2 more 3 point shots (48-58, 29'). PAOK tried to make its come back (53-58, 30'). Diamantidis returned to the game and his shot was on target (53-63, 32'30''), Zack Wright did the same (55-66, 34'20''). PAOK fought back (62-68, 39'), Diamantidis was 2/2 from the charity line (62-79, 39'10''). Diamantidis in offense and Lasme in defense with a stop against Kostas Charalampidis helped for the final 65-72.
Referees: Anastopoulos, Psarianos, Tzafleris
Quarters: 16-16, 37-38, 53-58, 65-72
PAOK (Markopoulos): Payne 8, Cooper 14, Charalampidis 10, Tsochlas, Vucicevic, Tsairelis 11, Dedas 5, Margaritis 5, Bogris 10, Kaselakis 2, Koniaris
Panathinaikos (Alvertis): Bramos 6, Curry 17, Fotsis 3, Ukic 8 (4a), Lasme 3 (7reb, 2bs), Mavrokefalidis 5, Diamantidis 17, Gist 8, Jankovic, Maciulis, Wright 5
