Dwayne Bacon returns, but two players might be out when PAO host Fenerbahce / News - Basketnews.com

Dwayne Bacon and Panagiotis Kalaitzakis will be available for Panathinaikos' game vs. Fenerbahce, whereas Paris Lee and Lefteris Bochoridis are questionable.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

As Panathinaikos Athens prepare to do battle with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul two months after suffering a blowout loss (77-107) in Turkey, coach Dejan Radonjic will have to wait until the last moment to see if two of his players will be available for the game.

Free throws this season

73%15,1Points made:15,1Accuracy:72,9%Place in standings:6Record max:25Record min:5Most made FTs:Dwayne BaconTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Paris Lee felt discomfort in the right calf, while Lefteris Bochoridis a discomfort in his back. Both the American and the Greek guard were left out of today's practice, in contrast to Dwayne Bacon, who overcame the flu that had left him out of Saturday's Greek league game vs. Peristeri.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

In addition, Panagiotis Kalaitzakis has overcome the back problem he was facing and participated in Monday's practice session.

On the other hand, Marius Grigonis, who had received special permission to fly to Lithuania to attend his grandfather's funeral, is expected in Athens in the evening. The Lithuanian shooting guard will also be available for Tuesday's contest.

Dejan Radonjic is expecting his side to show some reaction and snap their five-game losing streak.

"We have to play with a lot of energy, be focused and give everything for 40 minutes. It will be very important for us to have a consistently good performance throughout the match."

The Montenegrin coach called Fenerbahce "a team with great quality, and highly experienced players. In the first-round fgame, they were outstanding. For us, the most important thing is to show reaction, give everything on the floor and be ready to fight," he added.

Radonjic thinks PAO should play "more responsibly on defense, and at the same time read the game the right way on offense, distribute the ball well and go to the rebounds".

Credit Vangelis Stolis

Paris Lee might not play, but he said he wants to see his team fight "like we are with our backs against the wall."

"In the last few games, I don't feel like we play like that. We have to go back to the days when we had four consecutive wins," the 27-year-old guard pointed out.

Lee added that the reason Panathinaikos haven't been able to win any of their last five showdowns is their lackluster defense.

"That's why it's hard for us to go out on the open court and play with energy. Energy and defense, I believe, will be the keys to the game," he stressed.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

Lee is optimistic that PAO can turn the situation around and become a playoff contender again.

"I am always an optimistic person. I want to see the best in every situation," he said.

"I feel that we have the quality, we just have to find the chemistry on both sides of the floor. It's time to find it for a whole game, from start to finish and why not start with a big win tomorrow."

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