EuroLeague Basketball
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball

Panathinaikos executed very well offensively and rallied past CSKA Moscow at home (96-84) in the debut of Hall of Famer Rick Pitino on the club’s bench.

Despite the Muscovites’ good start (19-26), the “Greens” outscored their opponents 36-18 in the second quarter and never looked back (55-44).

The visitors attempted to turn things around and cut the deficit to two (72-70), yet the hosts stood tall and quickly brought the lead back to double digits to cruise to the victory.

Ioannis Papapetrou returned from his injury and led the winners with 17 points, as Nick Calathes posted 14 points and 10 assists.

On the other hand, Will Clyburn had 24 and 10 rebounds for the losing squad. Nando De Colo added 17 points, Cory Higgins 12 and Othello Hunter 11, respectively.

Panathinaikos improved to 7-8, whereas CSKA Moscow dropped to 11-4.