Panathinaikos BC AKTOR was defeated by Olympiacos 90–86 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, in Round 2 of the Stoiximan GBL. Top scorer for the Greens was T.J. Shorts with 19 points.

Olympiacos started strong with a quick 4–0 run from Milutinov and Ward, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR responded through Osman in transition (4–3) and Shorts for the 4–5 lead. Osman scored again on the fast break (4–7) before Dorsey tied it at 7–7 with a three-pointer. Shorts hit a mid-range jumper for 7–9, while Ntilikina replied for the hosts (12–9). Mitoglou cut it to 12–11 and soon after tied the game at 14–14 with a three-pointer. Shorts nailed an impressive runner (16–16) and immediately after hit a triple for 16–19, before Hernangomez finished the first quarter with a dunk (18–21).

The second quarter opened with Hernangomez at the line (21–23), followed by a three-pointer from Peters (24–23). Mitoglou scored off a nice play for 24–25, and Toliopoulos answered with a driving layup for 26–27. Peters converted a three-point play (29–27), but Toliopoulos replied with back-to-back triples for 29–33 and then 32–36. Hernangomez added another three-pointer (32–39), while Toliopoulos, on fire, hit one from nine meters to make it 32–42. The 0–11 run for Panathinaikos BC AKTOR was completed with a Yurtseven dunk (32–44). Vezenkov cut it to 36–44 for Olympiacos before Shorts scored twice (36–46, 40–48). The quarter ended with a buzzer-beating three by Vezenkov (43–48).

The Greens began the second half with a Hernangomez triple (43–51) and a Mitoglou jumper (47–53). Ward answered with five straight points to make it 52–53, but Osman converted two free throws (53–55) and then added another basket (53–57). Dorsey hit a three to narrow it to 56–57, and Vezenkov put Olympiacos ahead (58–57). Yurtseven restored the lead (58–59) and Hernangomez dunked for 58–61. Yurtseven then completed an alley-oop (60–63) and added a follow-up dunk for 62–65. Sloukas made it 64–67, while Vezenkov closed the quarter giving Olympiacos a 68–67 lead.

Olympiacos opened the final quarter with four straight points from Dorsey (72–67), but Shorts responded (74–69) and Grant followed (76–72). Shorts hit two consecutive runners (78–76), and Sloukas converted three free throws to bring Panathinaikos BC AKTOR within one (80–79). Holmes gave his team the lead (80–81) with 2:45 left, but Milutinov replied from the line (84–81) with 1:31 remaining. Sloukas tied it with a big three-pointer (84–84) before Ntilikina scored for 88–84 with 28 seconds to go. Sloukas cut it again to 88–86, but it wasn’t enough, as Olympiacos sealed the win 90–86.

Quarter scores: 18–21, 43–48, 68–67, 90–86.

Olympiacos (Bartzokas): Ntilikina 7 (1), Ward 12 (2), Larentzakis, Lee 6, Vezenkov 22 (1), Papanikolaou 3 (1), Netzipoglou, Dorsey 16 (2), Peters 6 (1), Milutinov 12, Antetokounmpo, Hall 6

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR (Ataman): Shorts 19 (1), Kalaitzakis, Osman 8, Holmes 2, Sloukas 10 (1), Rogkavopoulos, Samontourov, Grant 2, Toliopoulos 14 (4), Hernangomez 13 (2), Mitoglou 10 (1), Yurtseven 8

Ataman: “If we play like this at home, the four-point margin is an advantage for us”

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR head coach Ergin Ataman spoke at the press conference following the team’s away game against Olympiacos: “It was a tough game for both teams. There was tremendous hustle from all players trying to help their teams win. But hustle alone wasn’t enough for us to win an away derby. Except for three or four players, we didn’t have enough offensive contribution; some players performed below their usual level. We gave up too many offensive rebounds, extra possessions to Olympiacos. We were better in two- and three-point shooting percentages, but they took more free throws and grabbed offensive boards. In the final minute, we had two chances to win the game but missed our shots, and Olympiacos took it. The only positive thing is that we lost the derby by just four points. I believe if we play like this at home, the four points are an advantage for us.”

On the absence of Kendrick Nunn, he commented: “If you’re a big team, you have to play good basketball everywhere — score under the rim, make open shots, and defend better. Shorts took responsibility tonight without Nunn, but we didn’t get contributions from other players. Toliopoulos did a great job tonight, but we need similar contributions like we had last season from others. Whoever plays better will get minutes in each game. Shorts showed his abilities, we know what Nunn can do, and now we expect the rest to step up. Whoever performs better will play more.”

As for Nunn’s return and whether it will happen soon, Ataman replied: “I don’t know. Today at 1 p.m. they told me he wouldn’t play, so I have no idea.”