By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Driven by Giannis Bourousis’ best game of the season so far, Panathinaikos returned to victories in Euroleague by beating Darussafaka Dogus 86 – 80 in Athens. It was the fifth win for the Greek team that now stands at a 5-4 record, same as the one of their opponents.
Bourousis was much more than the top performer (18 points, 5 rebounds, 13 fouls won for 28 index rating) for the Greens, since he kept his team safe from harm down the stretch. After James Anderson made it 80 – 78 for Darussafaka with 33 seconds left, the Greek center tipped the ball in after a jump shot by K.C. Rivers found only air. He then sealed the result in favor of his team with 2/2 from the line and 5 seconds to go.
The Turkish team had managed to mean danger in the second half, transforming its picture in the first twenty minutes of the game when it trailed 46 – 34. Their comeback had the signature of Brad Wanamaker (19 points) and Will Clyburn who was arguably the best player of the visiting team with of 26 points and 9 rebounds. Both season-highs in EuroLeague.
James Anderson also dropped key baskets in the last minutes, finishing the match with 17 points and 6 rebounds.
Apart from Bourousis, coach Pascual was happy to see Chris Singleton continuing delivering heavily on both ends (13 points, 6 rebounds) and K.C. Rivers making buckets (13 points). But perhaps he saved most of his smiles for Mike James’ return to action with 7 points in 17 minutes.