Panathinaikos couldn’t maintain 18 points advantage
Panathinaikos couldn’t maintain 18 points advantage
After Milano embarrassing game, the Panathinaikos loss to Real Madrid doesn’t count that much. They will still qualify to the Euroleague playoff with a win next round at home against Buducnost. But the Greens had the game in their hands. They started impressively the encounter, having a huge advantage after the 1st period: 32-14. This had to be enough to win the game against the reigning champions who are not in the best shape.
If you look at the stats, Real Madrid had under 38% from 2 points range, 33% from the arc and 66% from the free-throw. These numbers are not excellent by far. And it’s not about Rudy Fernandez lucky 3 pointer in the last second of the battle. But it’s about the 2 free-throws missed by Georgios Papagiannis in the last possession for PAO, which would made impossible the merengues victory. It’s about the mediocre roster of Panathinaikos, full with useless or overrated players. It’s about Nick Calathes, who has one of the worst percentages from the arc in the Euroleague, shooting 1 from 8 this game. And many other small details that ruined the Greek victory. They had it, but don’t care to keep it. The main problem is not the loss. Everybody can lose to Real Madrid. But not this way, not at home, after having 18 points in front and when the winner had no fantastic percentages.
Maybe the true explanation for this is the fact that Real Madrid prefers to meet Baskonia in the playoff for many reasons, that’s why they have lost in Vitoria-Gasteiz and won in Athens.
Gratian Cormos, info@brainbasketball.net
