A depleted Panathinaikos suffered a comprehensive 83-65 defeat at group favorite Real Madrid, its second in four games at the Euroleague top-16.
Thursday’s match in Spain was never the prime target for Panathinaikos in this ever-so-tough second-round group, but the Greens stayed close to their host for two thirds of the game.
The Spaniards were 10 points ahead at half-time (39-29) but Panathinaikos reduced its arrears to four points in the third quarter (46-42) through eight unanswered points. That was about the end of the Greeks’ challenge in the game.
Real Madrid outran and outplayed Panathinaikos from then on, stretching its lead to 60-44, then 69-50 and 81-59, with the result coming with an 18-point margin.
The highlight of the game, though, came on the last minute, when Real’s Facundo Campazzo performed a judo move on Panathinaikos captain Dimitris Diamantidis to floor and enrage him.
Esteban Batista was the top scorer for Panathinaikos with 15 points. AJ Slaughter notched up 12.
On Wednesday PAOK lost 82-78 at home to Khimki for the Eurocup.
Source: Kathimerini