Panathinaikos AKTOR triumphed at home over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv at OAKA (93-87) in a EuroLeague game for Round 9.
The Greens overcame a 10-point deficit at halftime and, with remarkable offensive efficiency in the second half, secured the final victory. Kendrick Nunn was the top scorer with 21 points and 8/13 shooting.
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv took the lead at the start of the game (5-10 at 4'), maintaining it until the end of the first quarter (21-25 at 10'). Gradually, the players of Ergin Ataman increased defensive pressure and closed the gap (33-34 at 15'), with the first half ultimately concluding with a 10-point lead (37-47) for the visitors.
In the 24th minute, Panathinaikos AKTOR reduced the deficit again (47-51), and shortly thereafter, they brought Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv’s lead down to just one point (58-59 at 28').
Early in the fourth quarter, the difference widened again to double digits in favor of the visitors (60-70 at 32'), before Panathinaikos AKTOR mounted a full comeback. With a stellar defensive display and exemplary offensive play, Panathinaikos AKTOR stepped up the pace and, in just five minutes, turned the game around to take the lead (78-76 at 37').
This situation did not change until the final whistle, with Panathinaikos AKTOR claiming the victory (93-87) and staying within striking distance of the top of the EuroLeague standings.
Quarters: 21-25, 37-47, 60-63, 93-87.
Panathinaikos AKTOR (Ataman): Kalaitzakis 1, Brown 6, Sloukas, Osman 12 (2), Papapetrou, Grant 11, Nunn 21 (2), Lesor 18, Hernangomez 12 (2), Mitoglou 6, Yurtseven 6.
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (Kattash): Howard 14, Lee 10 (1), Sorkin 21 (1), Rayman 5, Randolph 8, Jokubaitis 13 (2), Gabriel 6, Blatt 6 (1), DeJulius 4.
After the match, Ergin Ataman commented: "I think we won the game in the last 15 minutes with aggressiveness because playing at a normal pace, it would have been impossible to do so. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv has good guards and moves the ball well. The only way to win was to increase our defensive aggressiveness to 100%.
I changed the lineup, bringing in players who are very good defensively, starting with Kalaitzakis and Osman. We started the fourth quarter with Lesor and Hernangomez. It worked. Nunn found scoring at the end. Osman made a big contribution, as did everyone who played in the last 15 minutes. We moved the ball well, made steals, and took rebounds, which had been a problem for 25 minutes. This is an important win. And our fans supported us a lot tonight. The atmosphere was excellent in the second half, so I want to thank everyone who supported us tonight.
I believe that all teams are now ready to play. The games are different. Some players play more or less, depending on their performance. Every team now tries for the best possible outcome. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
We have the best team in Europe. We are champions. We have the best stadium in Europe and one of the best in the world. Now, we also have one of the best apps. We have the best fans.
It’s natural that some teams are afraid to come here. I believe we are heading in the direction of the NBA with everything that Panathinaikos has done. Watch out, EuroLeague, you might lose Panathinaikos in the future. They might go to the NBA. The best coach doesn't matter (laughs).
I believe all Panathinaikos fans will download the app. Maybe even opposing fans will do so to see what it’s about. They will be jealous. They might delete it after a while, but you’ll see that in a week, we will have set a record with the app.
Yes, exactly. For the first time this season at OAKA, I felt the atmosphere we had last year, with the effort of my players in the second half and the crowd being our sixth player. I want this energy to continue for our home games from now on, and for me to celebrate like this.
Cedi is a player who relies a lot on psychology. He has great potential. Everyone thinks EuroLeague is easy for players coming from the NBA, but it’s not like that. EuroLeague is very difficult. Osman is a player of psychology, and at first, he was struggling with himself. But today, he fought and was very good, helping us now that Grigonis is missing."
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