Absences did not seem to effect Panathinaikos, which performed an easy prevalence across from Aris at the OAKA indoor arena, in views of HEBA game 8, by final score 93-62.
Panathinaikos allowed no margin of a doubt to Aris all the way from tip-off. The 7-0 run in the first 2 minutes of the clash from the greens, performing behind big-guy duo Fotsis-Tsartsaris, due to sidelined Batiste-Maric unavailability and Diamantidis-Sato-Perperoglou in the perimeter positions was a prelude of what was to follow. The gap was priced at double-digits for the first time at 7’40’’ (22-21), Zeljko Obradovic having already started swapping players from the bench alongside his fist observations on the encounter. The clover got to a 15 point cushion at 8’45’’ (29-14), Aris picked up the slack to 9 (34-25, 12’35’’), only to put the pedal to the metal next. An 11-0 streak was the first move forming 16’10’’ score 45-25, keeping up the act with Diamantidis and Tsartsaris competing again all the way up to +23 (55-32) at the break, score sealed by a Romain Sato bucket.
Tepic swapped triples with Nicholas, the prior added a lay-up to his tally and swiftly the clover swooshed to +31 (69-32, 21’30’’). Diamantidis joined the party to 66-32 (22’30’’), his defense setting the tone for every attempt enforced in offense. Panathinaikos cruised to a sweet +38 edge (74-36, 26’25’’), third quarter resting at 80-48, Aris cutting the trail and creeping up to less than 30 points a deficit at 32’ (80-52). The greens climbed back up to +31 (87-56, 34’10’’). Margin which actually sealed final score 93-62 validated off a basket by Yorgos Bogris, specific clash marking the Thespian big-man’s first participation in the Greek League for the current season.
Referees: Tavoulareas, Goumas, Katrachouras
Quarters: 30-16, 55-32, 80-48, 93-62
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic 11, Perperoglou 4, Fotsis 4, Sato 11, Nicholas 5, Tsartsaris 8, Diamantidis 10, Vougioukas 16, Calathes 8, Bogris 2, Kaimakoglou 11, Zoubos 3
Aris (Drucker): Brown 7, Dunston 2, Tapoutos 6, Tucker 8, Tsairelis 1, Hatzivrettas 1, Charalabidis 15, Skordilis 2, Borovnjak 12, Chryssikopoulos 5, Sloukas 1
