By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
The O.A.C.A rule! On Day 9 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens defeated 82-80 Real Madrid and improved its record to 6-3, remaining undefeated in Athens, while the Spanish team slipped to 5-4.
The final minute: Luka Doncic’s incredible fadeaway three-point shot tied the game at 77 points but Nikos Pappas made a clutch shot with just 22 seconds on the clock to put Panathinaikos up by 80-78! The 18-year old was fouled with 18 seconds left and made both free-throws, as did James Gist with 15 seconds left after a call which was heavily disputed by Doncic. In the final possession, the visitors could not convert and Panathinaikos came out on top!
The key: Panathinaikos second-half comeback was great as the team was down by 14 points in the third quarter. The Greens tied the game at 62 and defeated Real Madrid in the final minute of the contest.
The game: Xavi Pascual’s team started the game off on the right foot with an 8-2 run. With Causeur, Tavares, and Doncic (10 points in the quarter) scoring Madrid responded and went up ahead by seven (13-20). The first quarter ended 23-28 in visitors’ favor.
Pablo Laso’s team increased its lead to double-digits in the early second quarter (25-35) and exhibited great control of the game. The first half ended 40-54 with Real Madrid having the upper hand in these 20 minutes.
In the second half, Panathinaikos pushed the tempo, played aggressively with tenacity on offense, went on a great 13-0 run and cut the lead down to just three points (53-56). KC Rivers and James Gist eventually led Pana to tie the game at 62 points.
The final minutes of the game were competitive with both teams going at each other, as the game was decided on the last possession with Madrid missing the chance to score.
Four players in double-digits: The Greek champions had four players in double-digits with Rivers (20 points), Gist (15 points, 7 rebounds) and Calathes (12 points, 8 assists) leading the team’s comeback in the third quarter.
Not enough: Doncic finished with 19 points and six rebounds but he also had eight turnovers.