Calathes, Panathinaikos overpower Valencia at OAKA
EUROLEAGUE REGULAR SEASON - ROUND 7
Inspired by another fantastic performance from Nick Calathes, Panathinaikos overpowered Valencia 91-80 at the OAKA Indoor Hall in the EuroLeague regular season.
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Calathes proved the difference once again. In brilliant form, the 30-year-old was at his best against Valencia with Rick Pitino in attendance, tallying 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as he came within touching distance of recording another triple-double in the EuroLeague.
This is Panathinaikos’ second consecutive victory in the competition. The Athenians boast a 4-3 record in the regular season.
Valencia, on the other hand, are rock bottom with just the one win in seven games.
Deshaun Thomas (19 points), Tyrese Rice (14 points), Jimmer Fredette (12 points) and Wesley Johnson (11 points) were the other Panathinaikos to reach double figures in terms of points.
Panathinaikos will host ALBA Berlin in Athens next week, while Valencia will play at home against Bayern Munich.
THE MATCH
Panathinaikos made a positive start by winning the first period 26-18. Playing with confidence in attack, the Prasini continued scoring consistently, outscoring Valencia by two in the second quarter. A fantastic pass by Rice to Nikos Pappas was the highlight of the half:
Rick Pitino, former Panathinaikos boss and new head coach of the Greek national team, was honoured during the break:
Nevertheless, Valencia came flying out of the blocks in the third quarter, even taking the lead at one point as Panathinaikos appeared to become rather complacent. Valencia ended up clinching the frame 29-23.
Panathinaikos did improve in the fourth quarter, however, claiming it 23-16 to successfully see out the match. Calathes stole the headlines with this stunning assist:
