A.O.Trikala- K.A.O.Dramas 80-76
An important game between two teams that struggle to avoid relegation took place in Trikala where the locals fairly beat KAOD. The home team started well taking advantage of their sold-out home court and ended the first period in front 24-17. The 2nd period could be described as a tough and physical matchup since both teams tried to take and advantage through their defense with the half time ending 36-29. (12-12 partial score)
The second half begun with KAOD trying to overtake for first time and so they did 2 minutes before the end for 6 points (46-52), but their joy did not last for long because Trikala had a 9-0 run that allowed them to reach th 30’ mark leading 55-52. The “Dramians” tried to take the lead once again but their attempts were not enough to give them the win. For Trikala Harris had 19 points, 6 rebounds while he draw 9 fouls and for the defeated side Trotter ended the game with 20 points and 5 assists.
A.G.O.Rethimno- P.A.O.K. 71-79
Sixth consecutive win for PAOK this time against AGOR. The game was a close one right from the tip-off with the home team controlling the pace and earning a 24-22 lead after 10’, but PAOK recovered right after the small break achieving to take the lead that maintained until the end of the half (36-40) despite the attempts of AGOR that at least achieved to stay close.
The visitors soon got a +10 lead but Kalampokis helped his team reduce the gap again not allowing “Dikefalos tou Vorra” to secure the game, 56-57. However the away team was safely in front throughout the closing quarter, celebrating their win and now they focus ON THEIR GAME THIS Wednesday against Khimki for the Eurocup.
Kolossos Rhodes- Panionios 70-56
Kolossos could not think a of better way to start the second round of the Greek Basket league since after a solid performance they beat Panionios who is in big trouble after that result. The Rhodians tried to get full control of the game and managed to end the first period leading 19-12. Coleman alongside Tapoutos, the new team transfer, tried to react for the “Red and Blue” and managed to reduce the gap mostly due to their dominance in the paint, 35-30 at halftime.
They key point of the match was in the end of the 3rd period when Kolossos had a 9-2 run sending the lead to double digits and from that point on Panionios never came closer than 10 points. The 3rd period ended 54-43 in favour of the Rhodians that defended well while the away team’s bad offensive choices did not allow them to have a shot at the game. Stefanidis and Waters had 13 for Kolossos and for Panionios Coleman had 15 with 13 rebounds and 2 steals. Korolev was disappointing with 5 points.
Aris- Panelefsiniakos 79-61
Pleasant Saturday evening for Aris that beat Panelefsiniakos who could not resist in any part of the game. The home side seemed to make a big step towards winning, right from the first period since after 10 minutes they were in front 27-18 and looked unstoppable. However they slowed down, played with patience while coach Priftis had a small rotation and ended the first half in front 40-30.
The home team put more emphasis on their defensive duties during the 3rd, allowing Panelefsiniakos only 6 points and after 30’ it was clear the game was theirs. (57-36) The closing quarter had no big interest with both coaches giving some play time to all their players until the end. Vezenkov scored 18 and led his team to this win and Johnson scored 16 for the defeated side.
A.E.K.- Koroivos Amaliadas 76-67
The visitors tried hard but AEK had Mensah- Bonsu in great shape again to boost them to the win. Athinaiou and Mensah-Bonsu worked together at the beginning of the match allowing their team to end the first quarter in front 19-7 but not even at that point Koroivos improved their poor shooting stats. Malik Hairston got in the game and was positive giving more offensive solutions and the difference at half time was at 16 points, 35-19.
After the break AEK was once again controlling the pace, dominated on both paints and was able to lead a double-digit game for the biggest part. Before the end of the 3rd they seemed to have totally cooled down and Koroivos who was there to fight and not give up started a 13-0 run to end the 3rd period trailing only for 6, 49-43. However AEK’s bench depth helped them overcome this small crisis with Delinikaitis scoring consecutive points that finally led to the win for “Dikefalos”. Mensah-Bonsu was the MVP of the game with 13 points and 14 rebounds while Hairston scored 11. For the defeated team Rubio had 16 with 10 rebounds recording a double-double.
Apollon Patras- Olympiacos 56-67
Olympiacos escaped Patra and remained atop of the Greek Basket League. The “Reds” were better in the beginning but allowed their opponents 5 offensive rebounds that gave them the chance to stay close despite their bad shooting totals, 13-14. When Olympiacos improved themselves and controlled their paint, they started building a difference with Printezis and Lojeski leading them, to end the first half in front 24-34.
Skordilis seemed to be all alone offensively for Apollon Patras, a fact that helped the visitors maintain their lead. When El Amin stepped up for the home side, they tried to reduce the point difference but their defense betrayed them, ending the 3rd period trailing 39-51. El Amin remained the main threat for Olympiacos but Spanoulis was there for them to help them avoid any troubles until the end. Lojeski had 13 and was the top scorer for the winners and El Amin scored 21 for Apollon.
A.E.N.Kifissias- Panathinaikos 66-72
Panathinaikos struggled again on the road but finally managed to beat Kifissia having Batista in perfect shape. The home team was more confident in the beginning but soon the “Greens” turned things around managing to take a 16-22 lead after 10’. Soon after the game resumed, Panathinaikos got a double digit lead that lasted for a while, until the home team took advantage of their opponent’s turnovers to reduce the gap again. The half time found Panathinaikos in front 30-34.
AENK had the momentum at the start of the second half and achieved to take an one-point lead 39-38 but Batista was unstoppable adding pressure to both paints, ensuring that Panathinaikos had the lead after 30 minutes, 49-54. They even had the chance to end the game when they had a partial 1-10 score during the first minutes of the closing quarter, but again their defensive mistakes combined with AENK’s passion and determination, made the game interesting again, 63-66. The visitors struggled but finally were more calm and got the difficult away win. Batista was clearly the MVP with 24 points and 11 rebounds, and for the defeated team Silas scored 23.
