Panathinaikos did not managed to sweep Olympiakos 3-0 in the final series and was defeated on the road by 74-70, standings now at 2-1 games for the “Greens”. Game 4 will be held on Monday at the OAKA arena, where the “clover” opts to seal the Greek League championship by nailing the third necessary victory.
Zeljko Obradovic’s team tried its best but was unable to reach its third consecutive triumph over the “Reds” in an encounter that was ordained ultimately by luck, luck that voted in favor of the home-team in spite of Panathinaikos having called upon every possible measure to resist Olympiakos’ battle.
The game’s opening was defined by misfortune to the basket on Panathinaikos’ side since after Nikola Pekovic breaking into the score-board (2-0) the “Greens” experienced a 4’30’’ minute draught in frontcourt, situation exploited to its largest by Olympiakos that managed to lead during this period by 8-2 up to 5’, Pekovic getting to the basket eventually at 5’30’’ for the “Greens”, interrupting his rivals’ run to 8-4. The hosts’ felicity at scoring beyond the arc allowed them to a 12 point first quarter cushion (22-10), the visitors being unable to find rhythm in offence. Second quarter though featured an improved Panathinaikos that capitalized on tighter defense and pace in offense praise to joined efforts of Diamantidis and Jasikevicius. All this concluded into a 12-1 streak to tie with Olympiakos at 23-23 at 14’, Batiste being the culprit in the ensuing play to offer his team the lead, burying two charity shots to make the score 24-25. Olympiakos based all his offensive attempts on Josh Childress (30-28, 17’) but Diamantidis on the other side kept answering his nets either scoring on fast breaks following as a trailing big guy and getting to unbelievable drives executed with dipsy-doo double rolls to the heart of the opposite defense, either by dialing long distance with determination, upsetting his opponents’ plans to prevail thus the 18’30’’ score 32-35. Half-time found the teams a triple apart, the hosts trailing 36-39 to their guests. Olympiakos came on court riding Childress while he was hot and regaining the lead 42-41 at 23’, Panathinaikos though not failing to input an answer so, when Nicholas flushed the ball on the transition from a “Green” interception to 44-49 at 25’, the “red” bench was forced to a time-out. Game recommencing, Olympaikos seemed to awake tallying 6 unanswered points to gain the reigns bringing the “clover” within 1 point (50-49), dominating the glass pulling down one offensive rebound after the other and turning them into valid buckets, although third quarter concluded with the guests on top 53-54 and then thanks to big guy Pekovic clearing off the glass at one end and being the master of the house at the other end of the court, aided by Jasikevicius in scoring the “Greens” remained in the lead at 36’, current score at 60-64. Minute 38’ found the score board reading 67-66 after a net dropped by Greer viewing on to a sensational finale. Printezis marked 69-67, 27’’7’’’ left on the clock, Saras and Batiste failed to connect at 16’’ allowing Greer to chip in more for the “Reds” to 71-66. At this point Jasi pulled an unbelievable 30 footer trifecta that ripped the net to astound the rivals and bring the gap down to 2 for the “Greens” 12’’3’’’ before final buzzer (71-69), Vujcic shot 1 for 2 free shots to 72-69, 11’’ left to play, Jasikevicius copied him to 72-70 (7’’9’’ remaining) and Halperin sealed the win for Olympiakos by getting both charity shots tallied to 74-70, final game score of the evening.
Referees: Voreadis, Christodoulou, Tanantzis
Quarters: 22-10, 36-39, 53-54, 74-70
Olympiakos (Yannakis): Papaloukas, Pelekanos, Childress 23, Vujcic 8, Bourousis 6, Halperin 5, Greer 16, Printezis 11, Erceg, Teodosic 5
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Kecman, Spanoulis 4 (5as), Perperoglou, Batiste 8 (9rbs), Fotsis 6 (8rbs), Hatzivrettas 3, Nicholas 4, Tsartsaris 1, Diamantidis 12, Pekovic (6df, 11rbs), Sakota, Jasikevicius 17
