Premiere for Panathinaikos. It edged Zalgiris Kaunas67-66 for THY Euroleague Top16 Game 1.
Panathinaikos seemed to try to establish a pace during the first minutes of the game, but Zalgiris Kaunas was the one to take the encounter’s reigns. It led 0-5 (2’15’’) and 3-7 (2’40’’). At this point the Greens were awakened and unraveled their true self behind better defense, competitiveness in every play and better choices in offense. Panathinaikos ran a 10-0 streak (13-7, 6’25’’) posing behind different players to score. The first quarter rested at 22-13 only for the torch to be then passed on to Jason Kapono behind a “frantic” fan applaud. He tallied 4-for-5 triples through second quarter, 4 consecutive threes and a two; the clover also got tremendous help for beyond the arc praise to the efforts of Bramos and the gap from two points (25-23, 12’45’’) expanded to 15 (38-23, 16’) game going into recess the guests within 10 points of their opponent (43-33).
The scenery changed during third quarter. Zalgiris Kaunas made an effort to alternate its game plan. It players fought harder at the boards, increased to quite an extent pressure in backcourt. Result was the Lithuanians to gradually pick up their trail and get the gap at only 2 points (45-43, 23’15’’). Panathinaikos managed to swiftly counteract, got to 54-47 (28’20’’),third quarter resting at 54-49. The Greens upon their return to the court managed to get to +7 (56-49) but an offensive dry spell in combination with Zalgiris Kaunas good long distance range got the score board reading 56-56 (32’10’’).The hosted failed to rest at this. They flew ahead (58-62, 36’20’’), maintained a small lead (60-64 at 36’50’’ and 64-66 at 37’40’’). Banks and Lasme behind 1-for-2 shots from the line each, brought Panathinaikos back to pole position, the court to boost the team (67-66, 39’10’’).
Referees: Cerebuch (ITA), Bulto (ESP), Maestre (FRA)
Quarters: 22-13, 43-33, 54-49, 67-66
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 15, Maciulis 7, Kapono 16, Ukic 2 (8as), Lasme 14, Tsartsaris, Diamantidis 3, Gist 2, Banks 8
Zalgiris Kaunas (Plaza): Darden 12, Jaaber 8, Popovic 6, Lavrinovic D. 4, Jankunas 9, Kaukenas, Delas, Kuzminskas 7, Lafayette 7, Lavrinovic Κ. 13
