The Greens outscored the visitors 26-13 in the final period.
Fourth-quarter perfection powered Panathinaikos past Partizan
Article
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Regular Season
Round 22 of 34
Regular Season
Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensPAO
8471
Partizan Mozzart Bet BelgradePAR
Overview
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For the first three quarters of Friday’s crunch clash between Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, it was impossible to predict which way the game would end up falling.
With multiple ties and lead changes, and few statistical differences between the teams, it looked likely that the showdown would have the same conclusion as their Round 11 meeting: overtime. On that occasion, Partizan came out on top in the extra period, 92-87.
Panathinaikos went to another level
But then Panathinaikos produced a near-perfect fourth quarter at both ends of the floor, turning a 58-58 stalemate into an 84-71 victory by doing everything head coach Ergin Ataman could have asked for – and more.
The 26-13 final period was started by aggressive drives to the basket that drew shooting fouls, with Kostas Sloukas and Kendrick Nunn going a combined 4-of-4 on free throws before Mathias Lessort netted underneath the basket. At the same time, the Greens’ energetic defense held Partizan scoreless for the first 2 minutes of the quarter, allowing the hosts to enjoy a 6-0 run.
That set the tone for the rest of the game as, roared on by a sold-out OAKA crowd, Panathinaikos never allowed Partizan to get closer than 4 points the rest of the way, gradually stretching the lead as Dinos Mitoglou added to the efforts of his teammates with a series of strikes from the foul line.
The Greens are on a roll
The Greek team, which consolidated its position in the top four by improving to 14-8, fed off the energy of the crowd to keep piling on the pressure at both ends of the floor, allowing the victory to be sealed long before the final buzzer confirmed the team’s ninth home win of the season.
Although the points tally of 26 in the fourth quarter was impressive, Coach Ataman preferred to focus on his team’s ability to limit Partizan to just 13 points – and only 4 field goals – in the final 10 minutes.
“In the last quarter, when we improved our defense, we started to find fastbreak and transition points,” said Ataman. "And then we had a chance to break the game.
“They didn’t let us play our regular game but we survived until the last quarter, and then we made a great job, the correct way to win the game.”
The correct way not only to win the game, but also perhaps to continue the Greens’ march to the Final Four for the first time since 2012.