By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In what turned out to be a really low scoring affair, CSKA Moscow prevailed over Panathinaikos and has a 2-0 advantage in their play offs series. That’s the only thing worth remembering from this game, a 77-51 win for the hosts.
Despite a good start and a 21-19 lead in the first quarter for CSKA, the Russians quickly secured a safe distance, as Panathinaikos scored just six points in the second period and was trailing at half time (39-25). It was the worst quarter of the season for the Greens and the third quarter was also a low scoring affair (14-11 partial score in favor of the guests). However, CSKA had cemented a double digits lead and finally got the win without facing any real problem. Sonny Weems had 23 points for the winners and Roko Ukic 15 points for the guests.
Τhe 51 points are the lowest ever offensive output of the Greens in Euroleague and coach Alvertis admitted after the end of the game: “That was a night to forget for me. The rest is history. We go back to Athens to continue the series. Hopefully we will have a completely different game on Monday”. Diamantidis despite the hit οn the nose – and his worst Euroleague game with a -6 ranking – is expected to be ready for Game 3. On the contrary Milos Teodosic will not travel to Athens, as coach Messina revealed: “He is not ready yet. It would be crazy to put him on the court now. Maybe if there’s a game 5 he will play”.