By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos OPAP Athens bounced back with a three-point fest in the first quarter to beat visiting ALBA Berlin 82-67 in Round 14 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, and improved to a 4-10 record.
Despite missing guard Nemanja Nedovic, who suffered an ankle sprain during a Greek League game, Dimitris Priftis’ squad was determined. The Greens poured in six three-pointers in the first quarter to impose their pace and lead 30-25 early on.
From being down by 5 after the first period, ALBA burst into the second half to lead by as much as 43-34, though the Greens reacted fast and the score was tied at 43 points at halftime.
The momentum shifted in the hosts’ favor in the second half, as Daryl Macon took charge to lead all players with a double-double of 20 points and a new career-high 11 assists.
“A lot of people don’t know [that I can have 11 assists]. That’s actually my first love, passing. When I have the chance to show it, I’ll do it”, he commented.
Leonidas Kaselakis poured back-to-back threes in the second period to finish the game with a total of 17 points, Howard Sant-Roos followed with 16 points, and Georgios Papagiannis dropped 14 points, 10 rebounds along with 4 blocks to tie his season-high.
“It’s obvious. It’s a matter of attitude, first of all. And it’s obvious by the numbers that we allowed just 24 points in the second half”, said Priftis after the win.
Friday’s showdown was also a pivotal moment for guard Neoklis Avdalas, who became the youngest EuroLeague debutant for the team at 15 years, 10 months and 6 days. Avdalas also scored his first two points in the final 16 seconds, to break another record.
ALBA traveled to Athens without star Luke Sikma, who is sidelined with a minor injury, while Christ Koumadje was also missing from Gonzalez’s rotation. Marcus Eriksson posted 18 points to lead the visiting team, Oscar Da Silva had 13 and Tamir Blatt followed with 9 points and 6 assists.
The German side has won its last two games but now falls to a 5-9 record in the standings.
Photo credit: Eurokinissi