Disappointing in snowy Kaunas, Panathinaikos was defeated by Zalgiris 84-77, although it temporarily overturned an 18-point lead. At halftime, Andrea Trinchieri’s team led 49-42.
The Lithuanians came out hot from the start and jumped out to a 20-9 lead with 18 points from Walker and Sirvidis, while Kendrick Nunn picked up 3 quick fouls. The difference remained at a double-digit level: 31-20 and 44-26 with back-to-back 3-pointers by the hosts. Yurtseven, Sloukas started the Greek counterattack with a 0-7 run and Nan reduced with personal actions to 49-40 just before the break.
Panathinaikos didn’t take long to equalize and overtake: 51-51 with a basket by Papapetrou and 57-59 with a three-pointer by Lorenzo Brown. The Lithuanians responded with an 8-0 run and raised the score to 78-66 midway through the fourth period with newcomer Lonnie Walker as the star. The rest of the match was uneventful.
The “greens” lined up in Kaunas without Ergin Ataman and Cedi Osman, who had obligations with the Turkish National Team. Also absent was Dimitris Moraitis, who yesterday played with the Greek National Team in London, as well as the injured Grigonis, K. Antetokounmpo.
Kendrick Nunn was the top scorer of the European champions with 19 points, while Omer Yurtseven scored 16 and Lorenzo Brown 11. Christos Serelis also used Slouka 5, Grant 8, Kalaitzakis, Papapetrou 2, Hernangometh 4, Mitoglou 2, Lessor 9 .
Lonnie Walker led the game with 24 points and 4/6 3-pointers, while Sirvidis scored 19 on 5/8 3-pointers. Zalgiris played without former “green” Lukas Lekavicius, who was with the Lithuanian National Team. Sylvain Francisco who played last year in Peristeri scored 12 points, former Olympiakos player Bryant Dunston 6, while Brazdeikis was not used.
Among the 12,000 spectators were 200 Greek sports fans, as well as the former coach of the “trefoil” Giorgos Vovoras, who works in Lithuania. Panathinaikos has 7 wins in 11 matches in the Euroleague and is now level with Zalgiris, which came from three consecutive defeats.
Despite the absence of Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos crushed Vaskonia yesterday 92-69 in Faliro (Fournier 15, Milutinov 14, Peters 12, Williams-Goss 12, McKissick 10) and climbed to second place 8-3, after counting 6 consecutive victories. The amazing Paris has a similar record, while Fenerbahce leads with 9-2.
Next Thursday, the “red and white” will face Zeliko Obradovic’s Partizan in Belgrade, while a day later Panathinaikos will host Monaco at the OAKA, probably with Vassilis Spanoulis at the helm.
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#ZalgirisPanathinaikos #Unbeaten #Kaunas
**How did the absence of key players for Panathinaikos influence the team’s overall performance and strategy in the game?**
## World Today News: Zalgiris vs. Panathinaikos Post-Game Analysis
**Introduction:**
Welcome back to World Today News, where we dissect the biggest sporting events. Tonight, we delve into a thrilling Euroleague clash between Zalgiris and Panathinaikos, a game that saw the Lithuanian side emerge victorious despite a valiant comeback attempt by the Greek champions. To shed light on this captivating encounter, we’re joined by two distinguished guests: [Guest 1 Name], a former professional basketball player and esteemed analyst, and [Guest 2 Name], a passionate basketball journalist with deep insights into the Euroleague scene.
**Section 1: The Game’s Narrative**
**(Host):** Gentlemen, what were your initial impressions of the game? Zalgiris started strong, building a significant lead, only to see Panathinaikos storm back and even take the lead. Was this a classic tale of two halves, or were there deeper narratives at play?
**[Guest 1]:** I believe it was a showcase of different game styles clashing. Zalgiris, fueled by the home crowd, came out firing, showcasing their potent offensive weapons. Panathinaikos, however, demonstrated their trademark resilience, slowly chipping away at the deficit and eventually taking control.
**(Host):** [Guest 2], you mentioned Panathinaikos’ resilience. Do you think their absence of key players like Ataman and Osman played a role in the outcome?
**[Guest 2]:** It’s certainly a factor to consider. Panathinaikos was clearly missing their usual firepower and tactical maestro. However, credit must be given to Zalgiris for exploiting these absences and capitalizing on their momentum.
**Section 2: Individual Performances**
**(Host):** Now, let’s dive into some individual performances. Lonnie Walker seemed unstoppable for Zalgiris. What impressed you most about his game?
**[Guest 1]:** Walker’s scoring ability was on full display. His confidence was contagious, and his ability to hit those crucial 3-pointers proved decisive down the stretch.
**(Host):** On the Panathinaikos side, Kendrick Nunn led the scoring. What were your thoughts on his performance?
**[Guest 2]:** Nunn certainly kept Panathinaikos afloat with his tenacious scoring. However, he seemed to lack consistent support from his teammates, especially in the final quarter.
**Section 3: Looking Ahead**
**(Host):** With this loss, Panathinaikos drops to 7-4 in the Euroleague standings. How do you see this impacting their pursuit of the championship?
**[Guest 1]:** It’s a setback, but not a fatal one. Panathinaikos still possesses a strong squad. They need to regroup, learn from this loss, and find ways to compensate for the absences of key players.
**(Host):** what about Zalgiris? This victory after three consecutive defeats will undoubtedly boost their morale.
**[Guest 2]:** This win could be a turning point in their season. If they can build on this momentum and maintain their intensity, they have the potential to be a genuine contender in the Euroleague.
**Conclusion:**
**(Host):** Thank you both for your insightful analysis. It was a captivating game, and your insights have undoubtedly deepened our understanding of the clash between Zalgiris and Panathinaikos. Join us next time for more in-depth sports coverage right here on World Today News.
