In the absence of Tsartsaris, Perperoglou, and Smith Panathinaikos faces Ilissiakos tomorrow (19:00) at the OAKA indoors arena, in the context of the HEBA championship 7th competition date.
Dimitris Itoudis “links” the game against KK Zagreb to tomorrow’s game. “We showed two different faces on Wednesday. The first and second halves were completely different as regards our own defense performance, because in offence – as we had already said – we would find ways to score. It is a team that performs poorly in defense; but the differences I had mentioned in the analysis prior to the game, became all too apparent during the game. They play better offense; they have added a quality player such as T. J. Ford to their roster; and their point-averages have improved. Compared to the almost 50 points we received in the first half, the second half was totally different. We had better control over their pick’n’rolls, the penetrations, and the free shots. In the first half they had 5/6 three-pointers and dropped down to 1/9 in the second half, most of which were attempted under pressure. We controlled the rebounds and that is a very important element, because we were bouncing back from a game in which we did not show the necessary competitiveness and dynamism required, nor the will for the entire team to challenge every rebound. We grabbed 43 rebounds, which is a rather high number; and we won yet another Euroleague game. The only negative spin on that was Smith’s injury.”
Panathinaikos will be deprived of the US forward’s assistance in tomorrow’s game; an important game as Zeljiko Obradovic’s closest partner calls it: “We have an equally important game ahead of us in the Greek championship. Ilissiakos is a team that has been working with the same coach for the past two years. They play very good and fast basketball. Undoubtedly, Thompson and Hatzis, given their experience and ability to score, make the other players better too; especially Thompson, who is by far their best creator. Their big guys finish the games very well. Generally speaking, it is a team that runs the court very well. They use multiple zones, different lineups, and so for us it is a very important game, particularly due to the fact that we have yet another long period of time when we are not all together to practice, but we are obliged to play well and win this game.”
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