Greek Basket League round-up (week 23)

Three weeks left until the end of the regular season and everything is possible concerning the play-off spots and the relegation battle. Read the 7-game review below:

K.A.O.Dramas- Apollon Patras 81-83

KAOD wanted to secure a play-off position but Apollon appeared strong and got the win. The visitors got in the game and got its control from early on. They found the points needed and got a 17-25 lead. KAOD did not lose touch with the score, finding the target in some crucial shots, not allowing Apollon to build a big lead. 39-44 was the halftime score.

The image of the game did not change, with the Dramians trying to catch up while the away team was maintaining a safe lead. A good closing run from the home team left them trailing by 6, 53-59. However a 10-0 run from Apollon after the break, left their opponents trying to make a comeback. They collected 6 offensive rebounds until the end of the game, did not give up until the end, but they never got ahead. Finally, the team from Patra escaped with a huge win from a very dangerous homecourt. MVP was Ross who had 19p. with 8 assists and 5 rebounds.

Aris- Panelefsiniakos 75-61

Aris remained in play-off spot after beating Panelefsiniakos who now faces relegation. The game was tight during the first quarter with both teams making good choices, and the score being almost equal, 17-15. From that moment on, Aris paid more attention to their defense, catching their opponents off-guard. As a result they got a safer lead, 35-24.

Knowing they must get the win to distance themselves from the relegation zone, Panelefsiniakos applied pressure on Aris, forcing them to lose their lead for a while, but coach Minic found the way to push his players to another run. As a result, the home team maintained the 11 point lead and after 30’ they were in front 58-47. For the last 10 minutes left, all Aris had to do was to defend, so they did and got an easy win, remained 8^th in the Greek League Table and now looking to celebrate the team’s 100 years of history with a run equal to the one in the cup.

Ilissiakos- Ikaros Chalkidas 79-71

Ilissikos seems to still have a pulse, beating Ikaros and maintaining their hopes to be playing in the Greek premiere division next year. They took advantage of their homecourt, forcing Ikaros to make many turnovers and as a result the score after 10’ was 28-12. Ikaros by that time, was 1 point in front in the League table but still within the relegation zone, so they could not  let this game go. They found their offensive flow, scored some easy points and reduced the gap to 6 by half time (43-37).

The visitor’s great attempt for the comeback did not stop there. Ilissiakos had another bad quarter being unable to score at will as he did during the first one, and as a result their opponents found the chance to equalize right before the end of the 3^rd, 56-56.

Nikos Hatzis scored 6 points after the 36^th minute were the score was even, boosting his team to the win, and crowned MVP  with 19 points and no turnovers. It is worth to mention that Nikos Hatzis is now the first all-time scorer for the ESAKE Championship since it’s creation back in 1992. He counts 5.184 points in 548 games, overtaking Aggelos Koronios in the list.

A.O.Trikala- Olympiacos 70-84

Trikala put up a fight against the European Champions, but they could not really threaten them. Olympiacos got in the game willing to take a good difference and avoid troubles. Trikala tried to stay close to them but the score after 10’ was 14-20. The Reds stepped up, playing good basketball at times and ensured the win during the second period, heading to the locker rooms leading 29-46.

Right after the break, the local team tried to make a good run and cut the lead, but the visitors defended well, keeping Trikala in distance. The score after 3 quarters was 51-75. Coach Bartzokas performed a rotation trying to rest and protect their players since the team has a very important game mid-week with Anadolu Efes. MVP was Brent Petway who scored 21 points, while Evans had 17 for the defeated side.

A.E.Neas Kifissias- A.G.O.Rethimno 84-76

AENK dethroned AGOR from the 8^th spot that leads to the playoffs. On the other side, the home team climbed 4^th and now lurks behind PAOK and Panionios for an even better finish. The key moments of the game was the intense start from Kifissia, who forced Rethimno to make many turnovers and the point difference reached the 10 points, 24-14 after 10’. It took AGOR a quarter to get in the game, and it was quite late for them since they now had to face an opponent with great momentum. As a result, AENK defended very well, keeping their opponents in a safe distance, and heading to the locker rooms in front 43-35.

The home team returned to the court with a game changing 3/3 behind the arc, leaving AGOR players stunned. They tried and managed to cut the lead again and with 10 minutes remaining, the score was 64-54. The team from Creta was out of solutions and AENK held on to their lead quite easily, securing the win. Great game for Tsaldaris who scored 20 points and had 5/9 three-pointers, while captain Kakiouzis was leading the defense with 6 rebs, two steals and two blocks.

Panionios- P.A.O.K. 95-92 o.t. (83-83)

Panionios hosted PAOK in Nea Smirni hoping to secure the 3^rd position in the regular season. The two teams focused on their offense right from the beginning, with the home team having great shot totals and great teamwork. As a result they got a good 30-23 lead after 10’. PAOK tried to recover but they could not reduce the gap, until the last seconds of the half when Charalabidis scored a three-pointer and brought the difference to 4, 47-43.

From the first minute of the second half, the visitors took control of the game, forcing Panionios to commit turnovers, while they turned their defense to zone marking, securing the rebounds. After a great defensive attempt, PAOK equalized 63-63 by the end of the 3^rd period. The home team had the experience to step up, take the game to their hands, and after scoring in fastbreak several times, they seemed to have ended the game. They were 3 minutes left and Panionios was in front by 8 when their opponents made the last stand and after a big shot behind the arc by Charalabidis, the game went to overtime. During that time, Panionios was clearly superior and got an important win after the two free throws by Landon Milbourne. The winners had McCollum with 20 points while Mark Payne played great against his ex-team, having 24 points and 7 rebounds.

Panathinaikos-  Kolossos Rhodes 102-69

For another game in OAKA, the Greens needed only one quarter to take the win. Kolossos was determined not to let their opponents run in the open court, and with great defense they finished the first period trailing by four, 28-24. Panathinaikos appeared to be more serious, finding some open shots and scoring easy points, but the athletic Kolossos team managed to follow. By half time the score was 49-45.

Coming straight from the locker rooms, the home team had a 13-2 run that brought Kolossos to their knees. They tried to react but it was too late and the Greek Champions got a safe lead, 74-56. From then on, coach Fragiskos Alvertis’ team had one target: To reach the 100 points first time this season, something they achieved by the end of the game. Good second half and a professional win for Panathinaikos who had Lasme in great shape (18p. 7 rebs 5 assists and 1 block). For Kolossos Pantic and Kakaroudis had 18.