Panathinaikos did not ultimately defeat Olympiakos in a road game at the SEF indoor stadium, game which ended 87-83. The home team managed to win court advantage for the Greek League play-offs. However, it wad nevertheless an exiting clash as the defending champs although having quite a good opt towards winning could not seem to get range in the 5 extra minutes they gained passing through fire and metal to lead the game into overtime.
It was the host that stepped out on court aggressively competing behind pressure in backcourt, trying to enforce its pace, something it actually managed to achieve to a certain extent slightly after tip-off, respective period of time in which the greens presented an unstable and edgy image, not be able to get to aspired solution in frontcourt, tallying a single two point bucket in the first five minutes of game time. The hosts led by 10-2 at 5’30’’, the clover trying to improve its performance toughening defense up, Fotsis to sound the horn, also getting some offensive resources behind Calathes and Batiste. 2-for-2 free throws behind Fotsis and the greens picked up the slack to 16-15 at 9’30’’, actually leading eventually praise to a dunk from Batiste (16-17, 11’). However the opponent did not leave the siege unanswered.
Great three point range from the rivals plus defensive issues in rebounding left Panathinaikos trailing once more by 8 (25-17, 14’). A come back was unraveled though immediately at Stratos Perperoglou more than sufficient in offense at this time managed to get 6 consecutive points in all the way up to 25-27 (17’), half time buzzer sounding behind 34-32 score. Last call before the intermission on a foul committed on Calathes brought a technical foul to a member of the home-team’s technical staff, Diamantidis make the most out of a the charity shots derived from it as the game recommenced for the second half session. Team captain added another basket to 34-36 next. An 11-0 run got the score board reading 45-36 at 21’30’’, gap expanding to 12 at 26’ (54-42); board gathering still remaining an issue for Panathinaikos. Diamantidis managed to cut the trail down to 56-48 at 27’, third quarter resting at 60-52. Jotam Halperin got his team to lead by 65-54 at 31’ but the clover had not yet decided to throw in the towel. Nick Calathes undertook certain personal attempts and Fotsis nailed a three to jog the score to 66-63 at 34’30’’. The home team managed once more to break away by 73-68 (37’) but response was immediate, score flexing to 73-70 at 38’. Sato scored to 74-72 1’10’’ pending in the game, Spanoulis missed the succeeding offense only for Diamantidis to tie 28’’ prior to the final buzzer. Papaloukas made the score 76-74 from the line, 26’’ remaining and Coach Obradovic went straight to a time out in order to plan his team’s last offense. Diamantidis drove to a basket +1, 15’8’’ remaining, team captain missing the free throw, the greens picking up the offensive board however, Diamantidis yet again missing a three point shot attempt in the new offense. Bouroussis copied his actions in his frontcourt, game going into OT. Panathinaikos though was unable to ultimately prevail, game essentially ending at 87-84.
Quarters: 16-15, 34-32, 60-52, 76-76, 87-83 (OT)
Referees: Christodoulou, Tanatzis, Gontas
Olympiakos (Ivkovic): Spanoulis 2, Bouroussis 12, Keselj 2, Mavrokefalidis 9, Gordon 8, Teodosic 12, Halperin 25, Glyniadakis 5, Papaloukas 9, Erceg 3, Pelekanos
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic, Maric 2, Perperoglou 15, Batiste 16, Fotsis 13, Sato 2, Tsartsaris, Diamantidis 21, Vougioukas 2, Calathes 12, Kaimakoglou
