Panathinaikos was unable to get the series at 1-3 in the Euroleague playoffs. Barcelona was the team to win in the packed OAKA arena, final score 60-70 sending the series back to Spain.
The game image through first quarter was the exact opposite than that in game 3. Barcelona was the opponent to get off for a better start, controlling the game all through the first period. It led by 7 (4-11, 5’), Panathinaikos tried, picked up the slack (9-13, 8’45’’), but at the end of the quarter the gap was in double digits (10-20). The Greens presented their selves edgy in offense, while they also faced issues in the rebound department, something they paid for dearly as the Catalans got to many second chance offenses.
Rebound trouble remained (9-17 at 13’35’’) but Panathinaikos became more aggressive. 14-25 (12’40’’) flexed to 23-27 (17’); Barcelona broke away once more (23-31, 19’30’’) only for the first half to rest with the gap being closed back to 4 points (27-31) through Sofoklis Schortsanitis and Jonas Maciulis’ efforts. The clover continued having rebound problems (13-22 at half time) having however improved its two-point range.
Stephane Lasme got the two teams’ distance further reduced, game recommencing (29-31, 20’20’’) but the guests stepped away once more and in a short period of time at that (31-45, 25’30’’), since Panathinaikos remained unlucky at three point shots (1-for-10, 23’). The Greens put back the deficit to 10, Jonas Maciulis to score (35-45, 26’30’’). The hosted however had the solutions, either getting close to the basket, either getting to renew missed offenses, either scoring from beyond the arc only to up the ante to 16 points (35-49, 28’45’’). Gist combined with Bramos to get 3-for-4 from the line to close the gap at third quarter ending, 38-51.
Barcelona enforced its game in the first five minutes into fourth quarter, getting the lead to 17 points (40-57, 32’). Panathinaikos needed energy and down town scoring something provided to it by Maciulis and Bramos, score to become 50-60 (35’). The edge was closed to 8 points (52-60, 35’45’’) but three-pointers offered solutions once more to the Spaniards who finally prevailed 70-60 at the OAKA, forcing the series to game 5 in Barcelona next week.
Referees: Ryzhyk (UKR), Jovcic (SRB), Boltauzer (SLO)
Quarters: 10-20, 27-31, 38-51, 60-70
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 15, Maciulis 11, Ukic 4, Lasme 12 (12rb), Tsartsaris 1, Diamantidis (5rb, 6as), Gist 4, Xanthopoulos, Schortsanitis 13
Barcelona (Pascual): Sada, Huertas 10, Abrines 2, Navarro 17, Jasikevicius 5, Wallace, Ingles 5, Lorbek 8, Jawai 7, Tomic 16
