Dimitris Diamantidis signed and two three-pointers of his own sealed the victory for Panathinaikos over Unicaja Málaga in Spain by 77-76, in the context of the Euroleague 6th competition date.
Panathinaikos made the ideal first step to victory in the first minutes of the game. It quickly took the reins in the game, with Steven Smith giving the signal for Dimitris Diamantidis, Romain Sato and later David Logan to follow. As a result, the score difference broke open to +10 points by 7’ 7’ (9-19), stretched to +14 points (13-27, 9’), and climbed over to +17 points (17-34, 11’20’’). The “clover” seemed to be getting the answers it was looking for to whatever defense Chus Mateo had in store. It was taking second-chance offences and, as an added bonus, saw Freeland assessed with three fouls relatively early into the game (14’30’’). He was one of the most dangerous players Unicaja Málaga had in its ranks. The Spaniards, however, began showing the first signs of a will to fight back. They gradually managed to nibble the margin away, by aggressively going for the rebounds, pressing more, and making the most of low post attempts, mainly expressed by Luka Zoric. The result was to gradually reduce the score difference between the two teams. In the last three minutes of the first half, the home team had an 11-2 run and managed to cut close to a single basket: from 32-43 by 17’, they led the score to 43-45 by 20’, thanks to a mid-court three-pointer by Kristaps Valters at the buzzer.
Upon returning on court, the Spaniards tied the game (45-45) again with Zoric, before Diamantidis gave the “Greens” a breather by succeeding anew in a three-point shot (45-48, 12’). Garbajosa helped Unicaja stare Panathinaikos in the eye again by retorting (48-48, 22’50’’). The European champions were there. A 6-0 run by Sato, Jasikevicius, and Batiste took the score to 48-54 (24’40’’) and a bit later Sarunas Jasikevicius made it 51-58 (27’10’’). But again the Spaniards reacted, coming as close as a single point (57-58, 29’13’’).
The last quarter was nerve-racking… The two teams were neck-to-neck throughout almost the entire quarter. Panathinaikos seemed to have a slight edge, but could by no means secure a margin that would allow it to feel certain about the final outcome of the game. The game went to free throws, with Unicaja Málaga managing to get in the lead for the second time in the game after the 3-2 lead in the first minute. Two free throws by Berni Rodríguez made the score 68-67 (37’15’’), Diamantidis retorted (68-69 (37’54’’), before Zoric scored for 72-69 (38’43’’). Ian Vougioukas with a follow and a block at the other end of the court helped make the score 72-71 (39’), but a three-pointer by Valters turned it to 75-71 with 15’’4 remaining. The answer by the captain was swift: Diamantidis and the score at 75-74 with 11’’ to go. A quick foul on Darden made the score 76-74 with 9’’6 left ‘till the end; but it was time for the captain to have his say in it… Another three-pointer and Panathinaikos got the lead again. With 1’’3 left on the clock Diamantidis was there again, giving his team a +1 point lead again (76-77). This was ultimately the final score, since Romain Sato stole the ball when it was brought back on court, sealing the victory for the European champions.
Referees: Cerebuch (Italy), Dozai (Croatia), Trawicki (Poland)
By quarter: 17-27, 43-45, 57-58, 76-77
Unicaja Málaga (Mateo): Fitch 9, Rodríguez 2, Valters 11, Peric 2, Darden 13, Garbajosa 9, Freeland 1, Zoric 21, Sinanovic 2, Blanco 6
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Maric, Batiste 8, Logan 8, Sato 13 (6 rebounds), Diamantidis 23 (7/11 3-point shots, 4 assists, 3 rebounds), Vougioukas 7, Calathes Ν. (5 assists), Σμιθ 13 (6 rebounds), Kaimakoglou 1, Jasikevicius 4
