Panathinaikos made yet another step towards the Euroleague play offs. Final 75-62 score versus Anadolu Efes sealed an important home win at the OAKA in view of THY Euroleague Top16 Game 9.
Anadolu Efes was the one to take the lead first with a small headway (5-10 at 3’, 7-12 at 3’40’’), Panathinaikos however refusing to allow it pull away. It remained close by, grabbed the opportunity to even things out on court and even lead, turning 7-12 into 17-15 (6’50’’), first quarter to rest at 19-21.
The Greens were the better opponent on court in the next two quarters. Even though they hanged on to the lead however and managed to create cushions ranging up to even 8 points, they were unable though to maintain this distance from the Turks, who at the other end exploited every opportunity to appeal with counteractions.
Panathinaikos got to 34-26 (15’35’’), Banks to score and Schortsanitis to make the difference in the paint, their teammates to aid towards enforcing the pace the clover aspired to in the game. At the end of the first half however, it was a tied clash (38-38). Anadolu Efes led for the beginning of second half (38-40, 20’35’’). It was Panathinaikos’ turn to respond, to regain the game reigns and to reach initially at 44-40 (22’) and then to 56-48 (27’48’’) Dimitris Diamantidis to drain a three and Kostas Tsartsaris to offer and to win battles.
The clash was far but ended, since the Turks caught Panathinaikos on yet another occasion (56-56, 32’10’’). The Greens, cheered on by their fans, seemed to be in no such mood to let the game get out of reach. A sweet 13-0 run unraveled by Ukic, Bramos, Banks and Maciulis as one passed the torch to the other and Lasme to constantly block in backcourt, 69-56 score was formed… The Croatian point guard provided the gap with its highest price, drilling one more triple on the floor (72-56, 38’10’’), the matchup to be essentially defined, only thing pending on court the final gap between rivals… Bramos with 24’’ left on the clock marked 75-60; the hosted to input efforts to maintain first round standings of 14 points a distance. Something which they did actually achieve, final score 75-62, smiles all around and the Green applaud for final prevalence and a very important win.
Referees: Hierrezuelo (ESP), Jovcic (SRB), Bissang (FRA)
Quarters: 19-21, 38-38, 56-51, 75-62
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 11, Maciulis 8 (6rb), Ukic 13 (9rb, 5as), Lasme 6 (5bs), Tsartsaris 4, Diamantidis 13 (5as), Gist, Banks 9 (3-for-3, threes), Schortsanitis 11
Anadolu Efes (Mahmuti): Farmar 10, Erden 7, Tunceri 2, Shipp 4, Gonlum 2, Savanovic 21, Lucas 5, Kuqo 2, Guler 4, Barac 5
Yet another… tie for Diamantidis
Dimitris Diamantidis tied yet another Euroleague all-time standing record. Today was the 164th time he was on a Panathinaikos game initial line-up. He tied JR Holden who had competed as a starter with CSKA Moscow 164 times. Diamantids reached this achievement in 185 games competing with the clover, Holden in 189 performances with CSKA Moscow.
Jonas Maciulis remains the only Panathinaikos player to have been a starter in all of the team’s games this season. Maciulis and Bramos are the only players to have competed in all games this season.
PHOTOS
