Panathinaikos has now two wins in two games in Euroleague, Top16, by edging 72-64 Laboral Kutxa at Fernando Buesa Arena in Spain.
The key for Panathinaikos was the fourth quarter. The Greens opened the last period on a 4-17 tear, sealing the victory. Panathinaiks led throughout the first half, but Laboral Kutxa made its come back in the third quarter, taking advantage of the two fouls (unsportsmanlike and offensive) on Nikos Pappas in the first minute. Heurtel gave a 41-35 lead to the Spanish team, Lasme tied the game (41-41), Curry came alive with 5 quick points, but the arena erupted with a Jelinek triple from midcourt at the third-quarter buzzer to make it 52-48. Nothing has ended. Diamantidis with a three point play (2+1) opened the fourth quarter, Curry was present once more to tie the game (54-54) and the greens went on to a 2-11. Panathinaikos was in charge again leading all the way to 56-65, behind a three point shot by Diamantidis, getting a few minutes later its second win in Euroleague Top16.
Diamantidis reached 22 in ranking with 12 points and 9 assists, Gist and Curry each scored 10 points, while Stephane Lasme was the first scorer with 20 points, although he was charged with his 4th foul early in the fourth quarter.
Referees: Ryzhyk (Ukraine), Lottermoser (Germany), Javor (Slovenia)
Quarters: 17-24, 32-34, 52-48, 64-72
Laboral Kutxa (Scariolo): Mainoldi, Nocioni 8, Poeta, Hanga 6, Diop 2, Hodge, San Emeterio 7, Pleiss 17, Heurtel 13, Jelinek 6, Causeur 5
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 5, Curry 10, Batiste 4, Fotsis 5 (6reb), Ukic 4, Lasme 20, Diamantidis 12 (9as), Gist 10, Pappas, Jankovic, Maciulis 2
