P.A.O.K.- Panathinaikos 71-54
First game of the new year for the two sides with PAOK beating Panathinaikos to a postponed game for the 6th week of the Greek Basket League. The home team started the game trying to dominate and achieved it mostly due to the good shape Saloustros was in the first minutes, the good offensive choices and the many turnovers the “Greens” were forced, with the count being 6. The score was 19-13 but the visitors found a way to turn things around since Nelson’s playmaking gave the team much needed patience and offensive rhythm, while Gist added energy and dominated on the glass. The end of the half found Panathinaikos leading for 2, 30-32.
The game had started to go according to Panathinaikos plan, but a combination of mediocre defense and many turnovers, soon got PAOK in front. “Dikefalos” had Margaritis and Carter to lead him offensively giving them the edge after 30’, 50-45, while Panathinaikos had 18 turnovers and 3/16 2-pointers. The attempt for the Greek Champions to turn things around was unsuccessful, especially after Batista committed his 5th foul, leaving Gist alone to fight the home team that was clearly gaining momentum. PAOK was not threatened until the end and even got a double-digit difference. MVP was Margaritis who scored 16 points and collected 11 rebounds recording a double-double in his best game so far, Carter followed with 18 and Langford with 15. For the defeated team, Gist added 18 points and had 7 rebounds but that was not enough.
