Macon's double-double and great second half defense propels Panathinaikos over ALBA / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

In a match between two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams that played without some of their most important players, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (4-10) prevailed, beating the visitors, ALBA Berlin (5-9) 82-67 (30-25, 13-18, 14-9, 25-15).

Player of the Game EFF 24 Georgios Papagiannis Points 14 Accuracy 7-12 Rebounds 10 Assists 1

ALBA started the fourth quarter with five straight points to tie the game at 57, but Panathinaikos responded with a 10-0 run to gain a double-digit advantage (67-57). The hosts continued piling it on, with their lead ballooning to 17 after Leonidas Kaselakis' three (78-61).

Coach Priftis subbed in 16-year-old Neoklis Avdalas at the end of the game, who scored the last points for PAO with a slam. He became the youngest player in EuroLeague history to score in the competition.

The hosts maintained an edge for the remainder of the game, securing a 15-point victory. They only allowed ALBA to score 24 points in the second half.

"In the beginning of the game, we didn't play good," Georgios Papagiannis admitted. "After halftime, when we came back, we made some really important baskets. Daryl [Macon Jr.] did a great job, especially in assists. He got everybody open and it's all about the job we did in the second half. It's a very important win."

It was a high-scoring affair right from the start, with an 8-0 run by Panathinaikos giving them a 30-22 lead. Oscar da Silva responded with an and-one, cutting ALBA's deficit to five after the first period (25-30).

The visitors started the second quarter on an 18-4 run to gain a nine-point lead (43-34). However, Georgios Papagiannis and Darryl Macon Jr. sparked an end-of-quarter 9-0 spurt for Panathinaikos and tied the game at 43 going into the half.

Panathinaikos continued playing well in the third, with Howard Sant-Roos helping his team to a six-point advantage in the third (53-47). They held ALBA to just nine points in the period and held a five-point cushion before the fourth quarter.

Free throws this season

81%13,1Points made:13,1Accuracy:81,0%Place in standings:7Record max:25Record min:5Most made FTs:Daryl MaconTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Darryl Macon Jr. led Panathinaikos with a double-double: 20 points (4/6 2PT, 2/8 3PT, 6/6 FT), 11 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, and 24 PIR.

"It feels just amazing to come back to this arena and win, to put on the show for the fans, give them what they want to see," Macon said post-game. "A lot of people don't know [that I can have 11 assists]. That's actually my first love, passing. [Nemanja Nedovic] is out, he knows we got his back while we wait to get him back healthy."

Leonidas Kaselakis recorded career-highs in scoring and efficiency. He finished with 17 points (2/5 2PT, 4/4 3PT, 1/2 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 18 PIR.

Sikma was sidelined due to a minor injury tonight. Christ Koumadje was also out for ALBA.

On the opposing side,Nemanja Nedovic was out forPanathinaikos OPAP Athens. He suffered a sprained left ankle duringPanathinaikos's Greek League gameagainst Lavrio at OAKA.

Panathinaikos: Darryl Macon Jr. 20 (11 AST), Leonidas Kaselakis 17, Howard Sant-Roos 16, Georgios Papagiannis 14 (10 REB, 4 BLK).

ALBA: Marcus Eriksson 18, Oscar da Silva 13, Jaleen Smith 11, Tamir Blatt 9 (7 AST), Louis Olinde 5 (6 REB).

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