17 more games

CSKA vs. Panathinaikos Athens: 102-106 (-4)

CSKA: James (30 + 5 rb + 5 as + 6 to + 5 pf), Voigtmann (5 + 3 rb + 2 as), Hackett (24 + 3 rb + 3 as), Kurbanov (8 + 8 rb + 3 as), Hines (14 + 7 rb) – start; Bolomboy (3 + 4 rb), Antonov (0), Strelnieks (9 + 2 as), Vorontsevich (7 + 3 rb + 2 as), Koufos (0), Hilliard (2 + 4 pf), Baker (0)…

Panathinaikos: Papagiannis (4 + 7 rb), Papapetrou (14 + 6 rb + 3 as + 2 st + 2 bs + 4 pf), Fredette (15 + 3 rb), Calathes (22 + 6 rb + 17 as), Mitoglou (25 + 16 rb + 2 as + 2 st + 4 to + 4 pf) – start; Thomas (12), Rice (2 + 2 as), Pappas (DNP), Johnson (6), Brown (0), Wiley (6), Bentil (DNP)…

Congratulations to Panathinaikos, they showed team spirit and winning spirit and grabbed the win. We opened the game identically to the last game we had here: we controlled the rhythm, we had a good pace. But we had a very bad second quarter, gave up 32 points. We talked a lot in the locker room. I think we were very good in the third quarter and also in the fourth. We broke the game open where we wanted to, 2:40 to go we were plus 6. This is where I am disappointed, I told my players we need to bring that game smoothly to the end. We needed to score one shot or one free throw and the outcome would be different. But, it didn’t happen, neither on defense or offense. We were not effective. They pushed it into overtime and in overtime they were dominant. Unfortunately, we didn’t make free throws, and they made some big shots from the players who come off the bench. It was important that Nick Calathes had a great game. We didn’t manage to at least contain him, not to stop him, because it is difficult to stop Nick. With 17 assists, and he made that last three-pointer, a spot-shot, not off the dribble or after pick and roll. Johnson played big giving them 9-10 minutes with two three-pointers, rebounds and good defenses. Mitoglou played in a lot of positions and hurt us in the paint. But we brought the game where we wanted to. We did not expect it to be walk in the park, because Panathinaikos is built for big things. They have a lot of ambition. They showed us how to believe and to try to grab every opportunity, whatever is given or not given, in the clutch moments. We had to bring that game to the end when we had plus 6, it could have ended it in regulation, but it didn’t happen. Thanks to the fans in Kaliningrad for the support, they provided the best atmosphere. They were enthusiastic, they came in big numbers, and really helped the team.