Panathinaikos snatched quite a win in Germany. Competing at the O2 Arena it edged Alba Berlin 79-73 in THY Euroleague Top16 game 4.
The Greens had first say in matters on court throughout the entire encounter but also had to face quite a minus: Lack of stability. It was the exact thing that deprived it from hanging on to the leads the team had managed to gain, leads which would have allowed it to ultimately prevail under much less pressure. Panathinaikos made its first big step during the first quarter when 8-7 switched to 10-17 behind a partial 10-2 run and a feisty Jonas Maciulis, player to offer a teaser of all to follow, getting to long haul range impressively easily.
Alba Berlin fought back also getting range from beyond the arc, main executor of the hour Djedovic who led his team to 23-21 (9’45’’).25-25 (11’20’’) became 28-35 (14’) Jason Kapono to drill a three, Panathinaikos however losing its focus once more to allow Alba to get it within 2 points (37-35, 17’). And all this, only for the scenario to repeat itself on court once more, the clover to reach the half time recess behind a 6 point cushion (39-45).
Panathinaikos went for a more steady performance during third quarter, fed the ball into Sofoklis Schortsanitis close to the basket, the gap to expand to +9 (48-57 at 24’30’’ and 50-59 at 26’20’’).A technical foul called on Maciulis allowed the Germans to pick up the trail (56-59, 28’). Game recommencing the ante was upped to a +11 lead for the clover (56-67, 32’) praise to Roko Leni Ukic, the Croatian guard on quite a night during the entire game. The host went for a final comeback in the game. It crept up to 3 (65-68 at 35’50’’) but Panathinaikos allowed no room of doubt from this point forward. A trifecta unleashed by James Gist gave an immediate breather to the Greens again (65-71, 36’25’’), Jonas Maciulis who got to tally 28 points scoring 6-for-8 triples, chipped in to +9 (65-74, 37’) Panathinaikos to cruise to a victory at final score 73-79 sealed behind 3-for-4 free throws made by Ukic and Banks.
Referees: Hierrezuelo (ESP), Dozai (CRO), Chiari (IT)
Quarters: 23-23, 39-45, 56-65, 73-79
Alba Berlin (Obradovic): Schultze, Schaffartzik 7, Thompson 16, Byars 8, Djedovic 21, Miralles 2, Wood 6, Foster 6, Idbihi 2, Morley 5
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 1 (5rbs, 6as), Maciulis 28 (6-for-8 threes), Kapono 8, Ukic 14, Lasme 3 (2bs), Tsartsaris (4as), Gist 10, Banks 8 (3as), Schortsanitis 7
*Panathinaikos competed having Dimitris Diamantidis sidelined, player who suffered an ankle sprain.
*Jonas Maciulis accumulated 28 points, only one point away from his personal Euroleague record (29p).
