At the end of Panathinaikos’ streak, AKTOR entered Bologna. His team Ergin Ataman easily defeated by a score 92-75 from the Virtues at “PalaDozza”, knowing their first negative result after three consecutive wins, but also their first away loss in this year’s Euroleague. In doing so, he dropped to 4-2 after 6 games.
Having important absences (Samondourov, Kalaitzakis, Holmes, Lessor) but also players clearly affected by last-minute problems (Hernangometh, Rogavopoulos), the Panathinaikos showed a bad game face and surrendered to Virtus’ moods early on, without looking competitive at any point of the match.
Top of the winners was the exuberant Alessandro Paiolawho played excellent defense and tallied 7 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Very good match from him too Carsen Edwards with 22 points, while 14 was scored by Allen Smilagic and 15 o Matt Morgan.
From Panathinaikos, which was very inaccurate (4/21 three-pointers) and had 13 assists for the same number of mistakes, only What J Shorts with 15 points and o Jedi Osman with 14 points. 19 points were scored by Kendrick Nunnwho was effectively blocked by the opposing defense and was slow to get into the “spirit” of the match.
In the next “devil’s week”, o Panathinaikos will host the first Maccabi (28/10, 21:15) and then he will go to Monte Carlo to play with Monaco (31/10, 20:00).
The match
Virtus came into the game strongly and found first points with a double effort Jallowwhile Yurtseven responded with two baskets from close range for 2-4. The hosts responded with a layup by Smilagic in transition (4-4), while Edwards made it 6-4 with a layup in the open court. Grant responded with a classic shot from mid-range (6-6), while Paiola made it 9-6 with a three-pointer. Slukas reduced with a long shot pressing the line (9-8), with the Smilagic to score an impressive foul goal for 12-8. Osman reduced from the line of shots (12-10), with Edwards to hit from mid-range for 14-10. Nunn found the target on a 3-pointer from the corner, but Smilagic answered with a foul goal to make it 17-13. The first period ended with a score of 19-15 in favor of the home team.
In the second quarter, the Osman and Morgan they traded three pointers for 22-18. The Turkish forward hit again from long range (24-21), with Shorts making two shots for 24-23. Diouf and Mitoglou scored from close range (26-25), with Virtus going on a partial 8-0 run thanks to baskets by Jallow, Diouf and Morgan, reaching +7 for the first time (34-25). Nan was the one who provided a solution with a mid-range shot (34-27), with Rogavopoulos to follow with a basket from close for 34-29. Virtus responded with consecutive baskets by Edwards (38-29), with Jallow to form the first double-digit difference of the match (40-29). The Italians continued their good period with consecutive three-pointers from Paiola and Jallow, forming a +15 in their favor (48-33). The half ended 48-35 with a layup by Sluka.
In the second half, Jerian Grant got his blood back after a three-point airball, making it 50-38 with a three-pointer. Nan and Edwards traded baskets (52-40), with Mitoglou to take shots and put them in for 52-42. After Ergin Ataman’s layoff, Virtus missed four shots, but Edwards scored five straight points to make it 57-42. Osman provided a solution from the line (57-44), with Morgan and Shorts scoring a three-pointer and a foul shot, respectively, for 60-47. Virtus continued to dominate and extended their lead to +18 with a layup by Alston and Vildosa’s 3-pointer for 65-47. Sloukas and Rogavopoulos tied things up a bit with shots (65-51), but Diouf and Vildosa restored the difference to very high levels (69-51). THE Shorts with a buzzer beater signed the 69-53 of the third period.
In the fourth quarter, Morgan made a three-pointer (72-53), with Shorts and Nunn answering for 72-57. Diouf scored from close range (74-57), keeping Virtus comfortably ahead as the Panathinaikos he didn’t seem to have the reserves to get back into the match. Smilagić scored from close range (80-61), with Yurtseven and Shorts closing (80-65) before Duf’s nailer made it 82-65. There you go Smilagic scored consecutive points from the line (84-69), with Virtus comfortably securing the victory.
The quarters: 19-15, 48-35, 69-53, 92-75
Detailed match statistics here.
Source: Sport Fm
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