Βy Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos had the chance to win the Greek league title at his home court, but defending champion Panathinaikos didn’t let him. The Greens got the 67-65 win and forced a decisive Game 5 on Wednesday at OAKA, where the winners takes it all.
Led in the first half by Loukas Mavrokefalidis and with Vladimir Jankovic playing a key role, Panathinaikos got a 43-30 lead after 20 minutes. Olympiacos tried to react and cut the lead to six points (49-43) before the end of the third quarter. However the Greens answered with two three pointers by veterans Antonis Fotsis and Dimitris Diamantidis (55-43). Still the game was not over. With 24 seconds left the Reds got within three (66-63) after a dunk by Bryant Dunston. Gist was fouled and missed two free throws, Sloukas made it a one point game (66-65) after losing a three pointer which could tie the game with 8 seconds left. Lasme had then 1/2 free throws, after being fouled at 2,5 seconds and Spanoulis just missed the last shot which could have send the game to overtime.
Stephan Lasme had a huge game with 17 points and 9 rebounds, Diamantidis added 13 and 6 assists, while Mavrokefalidis scored 10 points in the first half. For Olympiacos, Bryand Dunston had 15 points.
Ιn Thesaloniki the 3rd game series ended with PAOK getting the 84-80 win over Panionios (3-1).
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