By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos Athens defeated Bayern Munich 82 – 75 on the road to register its third straight EuroLeague win and get even closer to clinching homecourt advantage in the playoffs.
The Greens will finish in the second place if they beat bottom-placed ALBA Berlin at home next week.
Bayern Munich was eliminated already from Play-In contention following the win of Anadolu Efes at Fenerbahce.
Kendrick Nunn led a balanced offensive performance by Panathinaikos with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. In his top game this season, Juancho Hernangomez delivered 14 points, including a triple that put his team up 70 – 78 with 2:33 to play and capped a decisive 0 – 8 run following a very close battle.
“It’s huge. We have one more game left,” Hernangomez said. “We want to be second. We deserve it. We work hard all season to make it happen and we’re gonna make it.”
Calling for the sold-out
“It was an incredible game. Because we know that if we win this game, we get a big advantage to finish second,” Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman said speaking also about the fact that 3.500 Panathinaikos fans traveled to Germany for the game against Bayern.
“Of course, we have one more game next week in OAKA. I hope it will be sold out again. Every game is important and we don’t underestimate any team. It was a very difficult and tough game. We know Bayern never gives up in this court but we played a smart game, great defense in the last quarter and we got this important victory.”
Bayern approached 75 – 78 but free throws by Kostas Sloukas and a floater by Nunn sealed the win for Panathinaikos. Sloukas had an all-around output of 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds while Mathias Lessort added 13 points and five boards.
Nick Weiler-Babb (15 points) and Serge Ibaka (14 points, seven rebounds) stood out from Bayern.
“I think it’s been the same story the whole year,”Bayern coach Pablo Laso said. “It’s hard to say this in a season that starts in October and finishes now. I’m very proud of the way we fight. We’re facing great teams. At the right moment they hit key shots and we miss them. That’s the differential. I’m really proud of what my guys did during the year. We had problems but we all stayed together. I’m happy for the effort of the team.”