By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
The regular season is over, and it is time for the Greek League playoffs.
Panathinaikos blew out Lavrio 57-111 on the road, finishing the regular season undefeated for the first time. Since the first half, the visitors had a double-digit lead, with their offense clicking on all cylinders (26-59). The hosts could not respond, and so PAO enjoyed a great afternoon. All of ‘Pana’s players scored, as Mike James put up 15 points and eight assists.
Meanwhile, Olympiacos demolished Promitheas 104-69 at home thanks to an incredible second half. The game was tight (48-47), through two quarters, but the hosts went on a 27-3 run in the third period to put Sfairopoulos’ squad up by 25 points (75-50). From that point, the visiting side could not come back. Kyle Wiltjer led the way with 223 points (6/10 3FG), while Spanoulis (10p. 10a.) and Bogris (17p. 13r.) added double-doubles.
In addition, PAOK blew out Faros at home, winning by 40+ points (91-51), while Rethymno got past Panionios. Also, after suffering a 30-point loss to Panathinaikos, AEK Athens bounced back with a close victory over Kymi.
Finally, Kolossos Rhodes defeated Aris and qualified for the playoffs, where they will face the defending champions, Panathinaikos.
First Round Playoff Matchups (16-21 May):
1. Panathinaikos vs. 8. Kolossos Rhodes
2. Olympiacos vs. 7. G.S. Kymis
3. Promitheas vs. 6. Lavrio
4. PAOK vs. 5. AEK Athens
Results:
| HOME | AWAY | FT | HT | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
| KORIVOS BC | TRIKALA BC | 82-85 | 46-42 | 25-19 | 21-23 | 18-17 | 18-26 |
| AEK ATHENS BC | GS KYMIS | 82-76 | 40-40 | 21-21 | 19-19 | 24-15 | 18-21 |
| GS LAVRIOU | PANATHINAIKOS BC | 57-111 | 26-59 | 10-22 | 16-37 | 16-28 | 15-24 |
| OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS BC | PROMITHEAS PATRAS | 104-69 | 48-47 | 22-28 | 26-19 | 29-5 | 27-17 |
| RETHYMNO BC | PANIONIOS BC | 90-78 | 38-35 | 14-20 | 24-15 | 31-17 | 21-26 |
| PAOK BC | G.S LARISSAS FAROS BC | 91-51 | 58-30 | 27-12 | 31-18 | 22-11 | 11-10 |
| KOLOSSOS RODOU | ARIS THESALONIKIS BC | 73-67 | 35-22 | 20-11 | 15-11 | 14-18 | 24-27 |
Regular Season Standings:
| # | TEAM | PTS | MP | W | L | POINTS | +/- | |
| 1 | PANATHINAIKOS BC | 52 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 2404 – 1777 | 627 | |
| 2 | OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS BC | 48 | 26 | 22 | 4 | 2245 – 1781 | 464 | |
| 3 | PROMITHEAS PATRAS | 43 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 2081 – 2013 | 68 | |
| 4 | PAOK BC | 43 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 2063 – 1975 | 88 | |
| 5 | AEK ATHENS BC | 41 | 26 | 15 | 11 | 2082 – 2031 | 51 | |
| 6 | GS LAVRIOU | 40 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 2149 – 2110 | 39 | |
| 7 | GS KYMIS | 40 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 2026 – 2032 | -6 | |
| 8 | KOLOSSOS RODOU | 37 | 26 | 11 | 15 | 1934 – 1977 | -43 | |
| 9 | ARIS THESALONIKIS BC | 36 | 26 | 10 | 16 | 1754 – 1869 | -115 | |
| 10 | RETHYMNO BC | 36 | 26 | 10 | 16 | 2047 – 2136 | -89 | |
| 11 | G.S LARISSAS FAROS BC | 34 | 26 | 8 | 18 | 1927 – 2190 | -263 | |
| 12 | PANIONIOS BC | 33 | 26 | 7 | 19 | 1876 – 2078 | -202 |