112-115: Real Madrid falls with honors after taking Panathinaikos to the limit

He Panathinaikos had to work hard to win the Movistar Arena and sweated more than expected against a real Madrid (112-115) punished by losses. Far from complaining about the absences, the white team offered a great competitive response and took the game to extra time, with a huge duel between Alberto Abalde (23) and Kendrick Nunn (33) in the last act.

Without Maledon, Campazzo, Jantunen, deck neither GarubaReal Madrid could not prolong its good dynamics despite the exhibition of Andrés as well. Happythe most outstanding of the whites with 27 points and a rating of 29. Kendrick Nunn and Mathias Lessortwith 32 and 30 credits, sealed the match.

He Panathinaikos He came out determined to take the initiative and took control of the scoreboard from the early stages. The outside success of the Greek team, with two practically consecutive triples by Frenchman Sylvain Francisforced Pedro Martínez to stop the match with a 4-13 score. Sergio’s entry Lull He gave another breath to the whites, who found in the veteran an impulse to react, with his triple at the buzzer of the first act (18-24).

Kostas Sloukas and Isaac bongafrom the perimeter, extended the difference to fourteen points at the beginning of the second quarter (20-34). Two consecutive triples from Max Shulga They tried to close the gap, but the Panathinaikos He responded with the same recipe and maintained his extraordinary outside success, with eight triples scored from sixteen attempts.

From there, the Real Madrid He showed a much more solid version and found arguments to get back into the game. Despite his discreet percentages from the perimeter, Andrés Happy and an outstanding Alberto Abalde They led the white reaction to close the gap and leave the score at a tight 48-51 at halftime.

He Panathinaikos tried to extend his lead with Sylvain Francis as the main external threat. But, as soon as he went to the bench, the scene changed. The Greek team lost offensive fluidity and Real Madrid took the lead after a triple by Gabriele Procidaforcing Zeljko Obradovic to stop the meeting.

Lessort and bonga They once again extended the advantage of Panathinaikosbut a triple Abalde At the horn he put the finishing touch to the third quarter and left everything open for the last ten minutes (73-74) that started with a constant give and take of actions from the perimeter.

Kendrick Nunn woke up in the Panathinaikosbut he found the answer of Abaldewho chained three consecutive triples in an individual performance to remember. The forward supported Real Madrid and kept his team with options, but Nunn He had not said the last word. With 23 points in the last act, they returned the advantage to the visiting team.

Heart attack final at the Movistar Arena

The meeting, however, still had a heart-stopping outcome in store. One steal and two free throws Procida They restored equality on the scoreboard with 15 seconds remaining. Nunn scored two points after being fouled by Okeke, but Happy He appeared at the buzzer to force overtime (101-101) with a layup.

In extra time, Real Madrid showed the accumulated wear and tear Panathinaikos He took advantage of it to tip the match in his favor. Led by an imperial Mathias Lessortthe Greek team ended up sealing a hard-fought victory that allowed them to remain at the top of the standings.