By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Kendrick Nunn scored 20 points, and Mathias Lessort had 16 plus eight rebounds, however, Jerian Grant was the player who decided the 82-77 win of Panathinaikos AKTOR over Virtus Segrafredo Bologna.
The Green guard had 11 points and four assists, but most importantly he made all the big plays down the stretch on a game decided in the last two minutes, keeping the Greeks to a 7-3 record and a tie in the second spot of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings.
“We got it done today defensively, this is our identity and we have players like Kalaitzakis stepping in and giving us quality minutes”, admitted Nunn after the game
Will Clyburn with 18 points and Toko Shengelia with 17 led Virtus, which once again fell short and has to share the last spot of the standings with ALBA and a 2-8 record.
A close race
The first half was more than competitive with both teams moving side by side and none leading with more than eight points.
The first quarter ended with Panathinaikos up by one (19-18). Virtus got the lead (22-19) to start the second, but the Greeks built momentarily an eight-point cushion (40-32) with Nunn scoring already 14 points.
Still, Virtus reacted and with Clyburn having 10 points in the first half managed to trim the lead to three (46-43).
Nothing changed in the third period, which ended with Panathinaikos leading by two (60-58).
It was obvious that things would be decided on details and the Greens entered the last two minutes leading by two (72-70).
Clyburn stole the ball, Shengelia tied the game (72-72) and then Jerian Grant made a huge three (75-72).
Cordinier trimmed the lead to one (75-74), and Grant assisted Lessort for the dunk (77-74) with 26 seconds left.
Marco Belinelli missed, Grant got the rebound and made two free throws (79-74) and Cluburn cut the lead with a three to two points (79-77).
Grant was fouled again, made one free throw, missed the second, and Juancho Hernangomez got the offensive rebound and scored (82-77) to seal the deal.
Photo credit: EuroLeague