PAOK-Panathinaikos 96-99: Suffered, but made it 2-0 and advanced to the semi-finals

Panathinaikos, despite running out of steam, finally defeated PAOK in overtime in Palataki with 99-96 and advanced to the semi-finals of the Basket League. In a terrible match that went to extra time, the winner was Panathinaikos, who had a great day with Grant.

Panathinaikos entered the match better and, with Mitoglou as the forward, took the lead early in the match. PAOK started the match a bit numb, but over time they started to find that rhythm as well. The quarter ended with the greens at +7 and at 29-22.

In the second quarter, the pace continued to be high with both teams scoring with great frequency and PAOK not keeping pace with Panathinaikos. In fact, Dikephalos of the North went ahead with up to three points, but Panathinaikos went ahead again. The half ended in terrific fashion by Porter, who made a three-pointer and fouled out, missed the shot, but got the rebound and made the basket at the end of the period to make it 49-44 at the end of the first half.

In the third quarter, PAOK continued to be extremely competitive and with Porter leading them, the difference reached +8 twice in the same period. The third period ended with PAOK ahead by a score of 67-61.

In the fourth quarter, PAOK continued to be amazing and took the lead to 10 points, with Fridriksson and Porter leading the team. At that point, Nan took Panathinaikos by the hand and with consecutive three-pointers brought the match to a draw and at 85-85 a minute before the end of the match. In the end and with the match at 89 all, Porter failed to score on the last attack and the match was sent to overtime.

In the extra five minutes, PAOK seemed to be running out of strength, while Grant was the orchestra player after Nan was sent off with 5 fouls. The North double-header missed two shots with Porter and three with Fredrickson in four attempts and thus fatally fell behind. The greens escaped with 99-94 just before the end of the match and the final score of the match was 99-96 and after Porter had previously missed a tying three-pointer.

THE DECADES: 22-29, 49-44, 67-61, 89-89 (q.a.), 96-99 (par.)

PAOK (Neratzakis): McNeese 15 (6/7 2-pointers, 3/6 shots, 8 rebounds), Fredrickson 25 (4/6 2-pointers, 4/9 3-pointers, 5/9 shots, 5 assists, 3 steals, 4 turnovers in 44:54), Michalak 16 (2/4 2-pointers, 3/6 3-pointers, 3/5 shots, 6 rebounds in 40:55), Alston 15 (3/6 2-pointers, 2/8 3-pointers, 3/4 shots, 11 rebounds, 2 assists), Porter 2 (8/14 2-pointers, 1/7 3-pointers, 4/9 shots, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals in 45:00), Schizas, Tsairelis, Margaritis 2, Williams

PANATHINAIKOS (Ataman): Vildosa 7 (1/3 2-pointers, 1/4 3-pointers, 2/.3 shots), Grant 19 (5/6 2-pointers, 1/2 3-pointers, 6/6 shots, 7 rebounds, 8 assists), Antetokounmpo 4, Grigonis 9 (3/4 three-pointers, 5 rebounds), Mitoglou 11 (4/5 two-pointers, 1/4 three-pointers, 7 rebounds), Kalaitzakis, Balcherovski 2, Papapetrou 7 (1/5 three-pointers, 2/3 shots), Nan 25 (6 /12 2-pointers, 3/10 3-pointers, 4/4 shots, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 6 turnovers in 25:52), Lessor 15 (6/11 2-pointers, 3/10 shots, 7 rebounds)