Panathinaikos downed Ikaros Kallithea 88-57 in the first game of the 2013 Basket League OPAP playoffs series at the OAKA arena.
Panathinaikos stepped away early in the clash, not allowing Ikaros Kallithea much room to counteract. The Greens mounted a swift +11 cushion (18-7, 5’20’’), Argyris Pedoulakis getting to offer game time already from the first quarter to the team’s latest addition, RT Gwinn. The hosted tried to cut back their deficit, creeping up to a 4 point distance (22-18, 8’50’’) but the clover answered back immediately, Gwinn to get teammates and team fans smiling, pulling a three from down town to beat first quarter buzzer, score resting at 29-18.
The Greens dominated the floor through second period. 29-21 (11’12’’) shifted to 38-21 (14’25’’) only for a relay race of triples to come in session behind Gist and Diamantidis plus a dunk chipped in by Maciulis to 46-25 (16’30’’). Ikaros input a response with a trifecta chain of its own off Vrkic, Gibson, and Giannakidis to gain on its host (46-34) and then even closer (45-35). Panathinaikos though stepped up once more for half time to arrive, score board reading 49-36.
The gap remained in double digits for third quarter also in favor of the Greens, who despite the distance from Ikaros, maintained their aggressiveness and chased after every ball up for grabs. 55-43 (24’) flexed to 65-45 at the end of third quarter, Panathinaikos starting to feature as the winner of the matchup. The gap expanded even further all the way up to 79-50 praise to a three unleashed by Haris Giannopoulos (35’45’’), Ramel Curry to send the lead above 30 points for the first time in the eve (81-50, 36’50’’) next. Gwinn acted next to get the score to 86-52 (39’) only for the game to end at final 88-57.
Referees: Bitis, Katrachouras, Theonas
Quarters: 29-18, 49-36, 65-45, 88-57
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Schortsanitis 6, Bramos 2, Curry 11, Maciulis 8 (6rb), Ukic 8, Lasme 10 (10rb), Diamantidis 9 (8as), Gist 17 (7rb, 2stl, 2bs), Gwinn 12 (6rb), Xanthopoulos 2, Giannopoulos 3, Skordilis
Ikaros Κ. (Kalafatakis): Strnad, McKNight, Vrkic, Karakonstantakis, Faye, Gibson, Giannakidis, Agadakos, Mitsialos, Simtsak, Alabi, Theologitis
*Panathinaikos competed without Kostas Tsartsaris (hamstring discomfort).
