Panathinaikos recover from EuroLeague misery to thrash Ionikos
In the Basket League, Panathinaikos recovered from their EuroLeague misery to easily defeat Ionikos Nikaia in Palaio Faliro, while AEK thrashed Iraklis, Aris defeated Ifaistos Limnou and PAOK conceded yet another loss.
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On Saturday, Promitheas were due to host the Rethymno Cretan Kings in Patras, but the match was postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
IONIKOS NIKAIA 65-110 PANATHINAIKOS
Reigning champions Panathinaikos, following their EuroLeague hounding at the hands of CSKA Moscow on Thursday, got back to winning ways with a routine 110-65 victory against Ionikos Nikaia in Palaio Faliro.
Rick Pitino, with the upcoming duel against Fenerbahce in mind, rested Nick Calathes and Ben Bentil, instead handing an opportunity to Nikos Persidis and Kostas Papadakis. In 20 Basket League matches, leaders Panathinaikos have gained 18 victories, while Ionikos have only won one of their last eight as they occupy 11th position.
Panathinaikos quickly put the game beyond Ionikos in the first quarter. Flying out of the blocks, Jimmer Fredette drained two three-pointers in the opening moments of the match, and the Prasini finished the first half of proceedings with an impressive total of 10 successful attempts from behind the arc. Ionikos, in stark contrast, only scored three three-point shots.
Jacob Wiley (15 points, 10 rebounds) knocked down a meaningful dunk at the start of the second frame to give Panathinaikos even more momentum. Dominating the game, Panathinaikos continued to completely overpower Ionikos with their speed, tenacity and accurate shooting, tearing the home team apart at will. Papadakis supplied a clever assist for Andy Rautins late in the quarter as Panathinaikos finished the frame leading 67-32.
Tyrese Rice got the third quarter going with another flawless attempt from downtown.
Ionikos, though, did begin to improve as the second half progressed, and Vincent Simpson caught the eye with a productive showing for the Nikaia-based organisation. Simpson, 31, was the leading scorer of the game with 22 points.
During the third quarter, Panathinaikos took their foot off the gas at both ends of the court, but they competed with intensity again in the fourth. Persidis was the star of the show for Panathinaikos in the concluding period, scoring a three-point effort and dunking the ball in with feeling. The 24-year-old guard finished the match with 15 points.
In their next league match, Panathinaikos will compete against Iraklis in Thessaloniki, while Ionikos Nikaia will travel to Kolossos Rodou.
AEK 86-61 IRAKLIS
At the OAKA Indoor Hall, AEK earned their 15th consecutive victory in the Basket League, defeating Iraklis 86-61 in an entertaining duel. With 20 rounds in the books, AEK are second with a 16-4 record, while Iraklis are seventh with nine wins and 10 defeats. Iraklis had previously won three straight.
Having defeated Bonn in the Basketball Champions League midweek, AEK were full of confidence coming into this game, and Nikos Zisis got the party started with five points in the first minute. Kendrick Ray, the star against Bonn on Wednesday, subsequently drained two successive three-pointers as the Enosi quickly found their groove. AEK took advantage of sloppy Iraklis turnovers to comfortably win the first quarter 30-12.
Iraklis, however, made a notable improvement in the second period of play. Displaying excellent skill, Vassilis Kavvadas swung past his opponent and thumped a dunk home to reduce the deficit to 13 points, although Jonas Maciulis then nailed a three-point shot at the other end to put AEK up by 15. Nevertheless, AEK took their foot off the gas towards the end of the period, and at one point Iraklis were only down by nine. Keith Langford completed the frame with a successful three-pointer to ensure AEK held a 44-32 advantage with 20 minutes in the books.
Ray got the third period started with another perfect shot from behind the arc. Not long later, Vlado Jankovic drew a foul while converting a lay-up after Iraklis had gained momentum, but the away side would eventually cut the deficit to a mere six points at 55-49 after two three-pointers hit the target. Ilias Papatheodorou called a time-out for AEK with the Kitrinomavri suddenly on the ropes.
AEK did manage to successfully see out the period to lead 60-51 with 10 minutes remaining.
Iraklis, not willing to go down without a fight, made a powerful start to the fourth quarter as Alex Davis conjured up a highlight-reel dunk while being fouled at the same time. Only leading by six, AEK required a response, and Maciulis delivered with a critical three-pointer in the next play which firmly sent the Enosi on their way to victory.
Ray ended the match as the leading AEK scorer with 16 points on the board.
Next week, AEK will host Lavrio in the Greek capital, while Iraklis will play against Panathinaikos in Thessaloniki.
ARIS 88-77 IFAISTOS LIMNOU
Aris, in severe danger of suffering relegation to the second tier, snapped their three-game losing streak with a vital 88-77 victory against Ifaistos Limnou in Thessaloniki.
For their part, Ifaistos Limnou are continuing to struggle for consistency in the Basket League, having traded wins and defeats in their past seven matches.
The hosts confidently won the first (24-11) and second (18-10) quarters to put themselves in pole position.
Vladimir Dragicevic achieved a double-double for Aris with 13 points and 14 rebounds.
In their next game, Aris will face Peristeri on the road, while Ifaistos Limnou will host Larisa.
LAVRIO 104-71 PANIONIOS
Last week, Panionios came close to shocking AEK at home, but this time around the Panthers were soundly beaten as Lavrio eased to an emphatic 104-71 triumph.
Having started meaningfully, Lavrio quickly put themselves in the box seat, claiming the first quarter 32-19. Panionios, struggling to gain any kind of attacking traction, scored less than 20 points in three of the four quarters.
Lavrio guard Kyle Allman finished as the top scorer of the match with 20 points, four rebounds and two assists on the board.
The home team have now won three on the bounce as they occupy fifth position of the standings. Panionios, on the other hand, have lost six in a row as they battle against relegation.
Next week, Lavrio will face AEK in Athens, while Panionios will hope to get back to winning ways when welcoming Promitheas to Palaio Faliro.
LARISA 95-90 KOLOSSOS RODOU
Fighting for a place in the playoffs, Larisa picked up a key win on Saturday afternoon, seeing off the challenge their opponents by five points to move into eighth spot above Kolossos Rodou.
Antony Hickey and Brandon Rush, registering 22 and 21 points respectively, stood out for Larisa. Lasannah Kromah tallied 19 points for Kolossos as the visitors lost for the first time in four matches.
The third quarter proved decisive as Larisa won it 25-17.
In their next match, Larisa make the trip to Ifaistos Limnou. Kolossos will host Ionikos Nikaia on the island of Rhodes.
PAOK 68-75 PERISTERI
PAOK, without a victory in the Basket League since January, conceded yet another loss as Basketball Champions League participants Peristeri emerged victorious by a score of 75-68 in Thessaloniki.
The Dikefalos tou Vorra continue languishing at the bottom of the table with five victories in 20 games. Peristeri, however, are in third position with a strong 13-7 record.
During the first half, the two sides consistently matched each other, with the score level at 35-35 at the break. As time rolled on, though, Peristeri gradually started controlling proceedings and won the two remaining quarters at the PAOK Sports Arena.
On matchday 21, PAOK will play against Rethymno away, while Peristeri will face Aris on home territory.
