By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos OPAP logged a 75-63 home win against Bitci Baskonia, improving to 5-15 while the Spaniards now hold a 7-14 record in Euroleague.
Nemanja Nedovic was the leading scorer for the winning side with 16 points as PAO recovered from a five-game losing streak. Jeremy Evans was right behind with 14 and Okaro White with 12 points.
The above-mentioned trio also made four of the team’s eight three-pointers and that parameter was perhaps crucial for the outcome of the match. Despite Baskonia making six threes in the end, they all came in the second half and the 0-13 from deep in the first twenty minutes cost them the game.
“It was a good victory for us. Defensively we were amazing, especially in the first half. Now it hurts even more that we lost against Efes in the way we lost the game. But it is what it is. I think we picked up the pace a little bit, we picked up the rhythm a little bit. We just have to keep going like this,” Nedovic said.
The Greens made an 18-point lead (38-20) by halftime and were up 57-32 by the end of the third quarter, sealing the deal. Baskonia could only soften the blow in the final minutes.
Stefan Jovic also suited up for the home team, making his debut with Panathinaikos. He logged six points and three assists in 20 minutes.
Wade Baldwin scored 16 points for the losing side with Rokas Giedraitis adding 12. Steven Enoch and Simone Fontecchio scored 11 each.
“We have seen something the last two weeks through all the adversities and difficulties that is very optimistic for us and our future. We have to keep on the same way,” coach Dimitris Priftis said and added.
“Of course, we faced Baskonia that had some problems. We had two players missing who have a big impact on the game. But the rest of the guys played really correct. And we had the opportunity to give some playing time to some young guys. That was very positive.”