On the back of two home victories in the previous double-round week, this was exactly the type of win that Panathinaikos needed. Coming away from Kaunas with this result only adds to the Greens' confidence, and the team can now realistically start to set its sights on the playoff places. Plus, given the manner of the victory, it was probably the best win of the season for Dejan Radonjic’s men so far.
The game started with Panathinaikos dominating at both ends of the court, playing with energy and timing on defense. Zalgiris was forced into bad shot after bad shot, while the Greens displayed great rhythm and tempo in possession to create great looks at the other end. The 28-44 halftime scoreline was a fair reflection of the visiting team’s dominance.
But Zalgiris is too good a team for that pattern of play to continue for the full 40 minutes, given its perfect start at home and a 15,000-strong crowd cheering it on. Sure enough, the hosts' reaction came towards the end of the third quarter, when a 12-0 run reduced the deficit from 18 points to just 6.
Now it was game on, and Panathinaikos had to show very different qualities to the fluid ball-playing skills that had saw it earn a big first-half lead. Above all, Coach Radonjic's players needed to demonstrate determination, togetherness, and mental strength. The test was passed with flying colors. Zalgiris did not accept defeat easily, but the visiting Greens never panicked, as they continued to show great focus and discipline while making big plays. Lesser teams would have wilted under the pressure, but Panathinaikos did the opposite. Suddenly, a 4-11 run midway through the fourth quarter changed the score from a fragile 61-66 margin to a decisive 65-77 lead.