Panathinaikos AKTOR emerged victorious in Belgrade against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (99-92) in Round 31 of the EuroLeague, completing a remarkable comeback from a 15-point deficit in the 32nd minute. Kendrick Nunn was the top scorer of the night for the Greens with 26 points.
Panathinaikos AKTOR started the game strongly, utilizing its defensive prowess to take an early lead (8-15 at 4’), which soon extended to +9 (13-22 at 8’). However, a late run by Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the closing moments of the first quarter helped the Israeli team cut the deficit (19-24).
The Greens maintained their advantage in the opening minutes of the second quarter (24-27 at 12’), but a new scoring run from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv saw them take the lead for the first time in the 13th minute (29-28).
Despite Panathinaikos AKTOR’s efforts, the home team’s high shooting efficiency from beyond the arc allowed them to hold onto their advantage until halftime (47-42 at 20’).
At the start of the third quarter, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv extended its lead to double digits (61-51 at 25’). Contributions from the bench helped Panathinaikos AKTOR cut the deficit to six points (71-65 at 28’), but the third period ended with the Greens trailing by 11 (78-67).
By the 32nd minute, Panathinaikos AKTOR found itself down by 15 (82-67). However, in just four minutes, the European Champions orchestrated a stunning comeback, taking the lead (84-86 at 36’). Three minutes later, they extended their advantage slightly, entering the final stretch with a four-point lead (90-94 at 39’).
Ultimately, Panathinaikos AKTOR completed the impressive comeback and celebrated a crucial victory (99-92) in Belgrade.
QUARTERS: 19-24, 47-42, 78-67, 92-99.
MACCABI PLAYTIKA TEL AVIV (Kattash): Clark 8 (2), Menko, Sorkin 12, Rayman, Dibartolomeo 10 (2), Cohen 15 (1), Randolph 21 (1), Jokubaitis 4, Blatt 11 (3), Williams 11 (1).
PANATHINAIKOS AKTOR (Ataman): Kalaitzakis 3, Brown 14 (1), Sloukas 9, Samodurov 2, Grant 2, Pleiss, Nunn 26 (5), Gabriel 13, Hernangómez 18 (4), Mitoglou 12 (1).
Ataman: "This victory feels like a miracle"
Ergin Ataman explained how Panathinaikos AKTOR managed to complete their comeback against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and praised the determination of his players as the game entered its final stretch.
Full statement:
"I believe that for 35 minutes, we played our worst game of the season in the EuroLeague. We lacked discipline, missed layups, failed to take proper shots, and gave open looks to Dibartolomeo. We allowed Randolph to drive to the basket and left Cohen wide open for shots. Only when we realized that we were losing the game did we start increasing our defensive aggressiveness. We stole two balls, scored crucial baskets, and regained our confidence.
We began attacking through Brown’s pick-and-roll plays, and in the fourth quarter, we finally found perimeter shooting from our big men. The moment we started making the shots we had been missing for 35 minutes, we turned the game around and secured this very important victory.
This win feels like a miracle for us, given the way we played tonight."
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