This time it was Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv that celebrated at the end of the game. In a filled-to-capacity OAKA indoors arena and after an exciting game that was decided in overtime, it grabbed victory by 94-92 and tied the series 1-1. Now the series moves to Israel and the NOKIA arena. The third game will be held on Tuesday, March 27, at 9:45 p.m.
The game was completely different compared to the first one, and this was something that became apparent from the very first minutes. Maccabi Electra tried through its defense to find the energy that it was lacking on Tuesday’s game. It pressed much more, used hand-raising to apply even more pressure on shots and passes made by Panathinaikos’ players, while it more often than not took the game close to the basket. It made the most of every wrong pass and missed shot the “Greens” were making, also assisted by its rebounding (13-18 in halftime). All these put together helped the Israelis stay in the game and claim victory throughout its better part.
Panathinaikos was the first to take the lead (11-6 at 4’40’’, 29-22 at 11’45’’, 31-24 at 12’50’’), but Maccabi bounced back. It tied the game (34-34, 16’10’’), and got in the lead for the first time (38-39, 17’37’’). The “Greens”, through Kostas Kaimakoglou’s offensive efforts, got the reins back in their hands (49-46, 23’10’’), but the visiting team imposed in the minutes that followed a tempo of their own with the help of rebounds to get to a seven-point lead (54-61, 28’30’’). Four consecutive points scored by Kostas Tsartsaris helped the “clover” crunch down the margin by the end of the third quarter (58-61).
The first minutes of the fourth quarter belonged to Maccabi Electra, which managed to get to a ten-point lead for the first time (58-68, 32’), showing rebounding dominance (22-31, 32’). Two three-pointers by Dimitris Diamantidis helped Panathinaikos cut close to six points (64-70, 33’25’’), another “big three” by Sarunas Jasikevicius made the score 67-73 (35’20’’) with the fans making their own efforts to give the players the necessary push. Kaimakoglou followed suit with his team-mates to make the score 70-75 (36’), with Romain Sato being assessed with a fourth foul just a tad later. However, Jasikevicius was there again… Another one of his three-pointers takes the score to 73-76 (36’15’’) in an amazing atmosphere! Mike Batiste tied the game (81-81, 38’50’’) with Blu immediately retorting (81-83, 38’56’’). With one offense lost apiece, Kaimakoglou goes to the foul line to turn the score 83-83 with 13’’2 left on the clock. Maccabi did not make the most of this time and the game was led to overtime.
Panathinaikos seemed to have the first say in overtime too. It led throughout its biggest part, but Maccabi had the last say. Blu was the key-player; with two three-pointers of his own he first tied the game (90-90) and then put his team in the lead (92-93) with 29’’8 left until the end. Langford succeeded in a free throw making the score 92-94, the “Greens” did not respond and Maccabi Electra clinched victory thus tying the series 1-1, since the referees did not the foul Jasikevicius received on his last attempt. The next two games will take place in Israel on Tuesday (27/3) and Thursday (29/3).
Referees: Ziemblicki, Hierrezuelo, Perez
By quarter: 24-20, 43-41, 58-61, 83-83 (s.d.), 92-94 (overtime)
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Maric 2, Batiste 16 (9 rebounds, 6 assists), Logan 2, Sato 3, Tsartsaris 12, Diamantidis 12 (6 assists), Vougioukas 4, Calathes N. 3, Smith 3, Kaimakoglou 20, Jasikevicius 15
Maccabi Electra (Blatt): Papaloukas 5, Hendrix 9, Smith 15, Blu 16, Eliyahu 2, Mallet, Pnini, Burstein, Ohayon 15, James 7, Schortsanitis 8, Langford 17
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