It was a “rodeo”, but PAOK came close to qualifying

In a real “thriller”, PAOK defeated Benfica 76-74 in Pylaia for the fourth matchday of the BCL and reached 3-1 its record in the seventh group, approaching the qualification.

PAOK made 5 mistakes and was misplaced in the opponent’s racket and the right choices of the Portuguese in the “black and white” racket brought 0-6 and 1-11 with Carter as the protagonist initially and Douglas as a supporter. The “two-headed” found the solutions and with a 6-0 run reduced 7-11, but Gomes’ three-pointer made it 7-14. PAOK responded with a 5-0 run for 12-14, but received a 0-5 run from the “eagles” for 12-19 and Gomes’ three-pointer made it 14-22 at the end of the first half.

PAOK also started the second period with many mistakes and missed shots, but Benfica did not take advantage of them. Thus, Tsairelis with his personal actions in the opponent’s basket in 21-24 and reached 10 points with the support of Tsiakmas. There, the frivolities of Fotis Takianou’s players began again and Benfica with a 5-0 run reached 21-29. Dreschel brought 23-32 and 25-34 due to the new mistakes and the change of the Portuguese defense. There, Beliauskas’ “crescendo” began with back-to-back 3-pointers that made it 33-34 and Roux Harrison’s 3-pointer made it 39-37 at the end of the half for his first lead since the beginning of the game.

Tsairelis and Gilmore went on a 5-0 run to make it 44-39 at the start of the third period, but then poor defense, a lot of missed rebounds and new offensive mistakes led to a 10-0 run by Benfica to make it 44-49. with the three points of Douglas and Gomes. The “two-headed” started playing with a correct passing game inside the basket and with a 6-0 run for 50-49 and a new 5-0 run brought it 55-52 at the end of the quarter.

Smith and Harrison made it 59-54 with right picks in the racket at the start of the fourth quarter, but missed defensive rebounds and 14 more fouls made it 8-0 run and 59-62. Beliauskas returned after his long presence on the bench and helped for the 5-0 run and 64-62. The lead began to change permanently after that and Carter made it 66-68. Tsairelis’ two shots made it 68-68.

The Portuguese were missing shots, but Carter made it 68-69 with one. Harrison and Bouchard brought it 70-71. Fredrickson missed two shots, but Smith with 1/2 shots made it 71-71. Carter missed and Smith’s two-pointer made it 73-71 at 40”. Broussard took a risk and missed, Smith won a foul and with one shot made it 74-71 at 24”. The pressure on the rebound gave the ball to PAOK and Beliauskas with two shots made it 76-71 at 16” and Douglas’ three-pointer simply made the final 76-74 and made it 3-1 for the “two-headed”.