By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a game full of drama, Panathinaikos eventually prevailed 74-69 over PAOK, who came back from -21 but couldn’t get the win, at a packed PAOK Sports Arena.
Kostas Sloukas was once again clutch, scoring his team’s final six points, as the “Greens” reacted after their EuroLeague loss in Munich to Bayern.
Panathinaikos started strong, leading 28–9 at the end of the first quarter and 43–22 at the 19th minute.
However, PAOK mounted an incredible comeback, tying the game 55–55 in the 28th minute and taking the lead 58–55 with a Patrick Beverley three-pointer at the end of the third quarter.
The hosts went up 60–55 at the 31st minute, but the visitors responded and regained the lead, making it 63–62 at the 34th minute.
With 1:23 remaining, a layup by Sloukas gave Panathinaikos a 70–64 advantage.
A two-pointer by Beverley and one free throw by Ben Moore at 25.1’’ cut the deficit to 70–67. Sloukas then went 2/2 from the line at 23.6’’ to make it 72–67. Tomas Dimša scored a layup at 12’’ to reduce it to 72–69, before Sloukas again made 2/2 free throws to seal the final 74–69 score with 4.7’’ left.
Panathinaikos improved its record to 13–1 (6–1 away), extending its winning streak in the Stoiximan GBL to 12 consecutive victories after the final game of Round 15. PAOK dropped to 9–4 (4–2 at home).
PAOK head coach Jurica Zdovc was ejected after receiving a second technical foul for intense protests toward the referees with 42.2’’ left in the first quarter, with the score 25–9 in favor of the visitors at that moment.
Panathinaikos lined up with only 10 available players, as injured Kendrick Nunn (left ankle injury) and Dinos Mitoglou (right hamstring strain), as well as Nikos Rogkavopoulos (illness), were absent.
Kenneth Faried was left out of the foreign players’ six-man list, while Marius Grigonis and Mathias Lessort are registered only for the EuroLeague roster.
For PAOK, Timmy Allen was absent due to discomfort in his left leg and was therefore left out of the foreign players’ rotation for this game.
Stoiximan GBL Round 15
Promitheas – Panionios 87–91
Olympiacos – Maroussi 104–89
Karditsa – AEK 71–79
Mykonos – Kolossos 67–84
PAOK – Panathinaikos 69–74
Peristeri – Aris (Postponed)
STANDINGS: Olympiacos (14–0), panathinaikos (13–1), (AEK 10–4), PAOK (9–4)…