Panathinaikos He hit the table in Istanbul by winning Anadolu Efes by 77-81 in the third match of the quarterfinal qualifier of the Euroleague. With this home triumph, the set led by Ergin Ataman Recover the court factor and advance 2-1 in the series, leaving a single victory of qualifying for the Final Four of Abu Dhabi and putting the Turkish team against the strings.
The meeting was a reflection of equality that presides over the series, with both teams exchanging blows and without any managing to open a definitive gap on the scoreboard. Kendrick Nunnwith 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, it was again the offensive lighthouse of the Greeks, well seconded by a decisive dines Mitoglouauthor of 18 points and 6 rebounds. By local part, Shane Larkin (17 points, 4 assists), Daniel Oturu (14 points, 5 rebounds) and Elijah Bryant (13 points, 7 rebounds) were the most prominent, but insufficient to counteract the final visiting thrust.
The party remained balanced during most of the 40 minutes, with constant alternatives on the scoreboard and a palpable tension at the Basketball Development Center of Istanbul. Anadolu Efessupported by his audience, he tried to take the initiative, but Panathinaikos knew how to respond to each rush, reaching the last quarter with the game totally open and everything to decide in a few final minutes not suitable for cardiac.
The outcome was vibrant. With the marker tied at 70 in the absence of two minutes, two Nunn free throws put the Pao ahead (70-72). Larkin replied to return the tables (72-72) entering the last minute. It was then that two key defensive and offensive actions appeared for the Greeks: first, a crucial cap of Juancho Hernangómez in the absence of about 40 seconds stopped a Turkish attack, and after several errors on both sides, Dinos Mitoglou He sentenced the clash with a triple to six seconds from the end that silenced the pavilion.
With this crucial victory, Panathinaikos It is placed at a single triumph of returning to a Final Four of the Euroleague. Anadolu Efeson the other hand, he is forced to win the fourth game, which will also be played in Istanbulif you want to force the fifth and definitive meeting in Athens and keep their hopes alive in the maximum continental competition.
