By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
In Athens and a packed OAKA, Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens got a well-needed 70-68 victory against the defending champs, on Day 4 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
With just one second on the clock, Nikos Pappas scored a tough guarded game-winner shot to put Panathinaikos up by just two points and gave to the Greek side their second victory this season.
The star: Who else could it be? Nikos Pappas sparked the comeback, made some clutch shots and scored the game-winner in Panathinaikos’ win as he finished with 24 points. Nick Calathes added 12.
The game: The visitors started off the game with Wannamaker’s 0-5 run (1:00) but Panathinaikos closed the gap quickly with Calathes leading the way. The first quarter belonged to the Greek guard for the home team (7 points, 2 assists in 1Q) and the 28-year old American for the visitors (10 points in the first quarter).
The second quarter remained competitive with both teams challenging each other, with three-point shots, tough defense, and highlight dunks, blocks. Fener’s 0-7 run, with Vesely and Meli scoring, increased their lead to 8-points (24-32). The first half finally ended 36-44 with the visitors having control of the tempo and the ‘feel’ of the game.
The key: After being down eight points at the half, Panathinaikos reacted incredibly well in the beginning of the third quarter, cutting that lead down to only four points (46-50). The game became really competitive and physical from that point forward. The third quarter eventually ended 53-55 and the players were in for a tough final 10 minutes.
Fenerbahce’s lead in the fourth quarter increased to five points with Gigi Datome’s three-pointer (33:00) and seemed to have regained, the upper hand in the game. Panathinaikos with Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Pappas responded and the Greek guard made the biggest shot of the game. Brad Wannamaker played well for the defending champs as he finished with 14 points. Jan Vesely added 15.