By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Bourousis posted a double-double consisted of 14 points and 11 rebounds and registered a 31 season-high in PIR, leading Panathinaikos to a 71 – 65 victory against Barcelona in OAKA for the 19th round of the EuroLeague regular season.
With this victory, the Greens improved their record to 11 – 8 while their guests fell to 8 – 11 and remain outside the playoffs zone of the standings.
Barcelona couldn’t have hoped for much after committing 21 turnovers, thrice the number of their opponents. Eight of them were made by Tyrese Rice who was also his team’s top scorer and passer with 12 points plus 6 assists.
After a close first quarter (15-13), Panathinaikos began an assault from downtown courtesy of KC Rivers (13 points, 4 rebounds) and Chris Singleton (10 points, 4 rebounds) opening the gap in order to go to the locker rooms ahead in the score 36 – 29.
While their lead reached double figures in the beginning of the second period, Barcelona made it a 3-point game, showing that it wouldn’t give up so easily. Still, coach Pascual’s players defended their territory more than successfully, reducing their opponents options, especially inside the paint.
The Blaugrana kept being tenacious, approaching 55-54 and 57 – 56 but that’s the closer they got. Panathinaikos never allowed them to gain a lead, always holding an upper hand.