Panathinaikos BC AKTOR defeated LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 91–85 at the Telekom Center Athens, in a matchup for Round 4 of the EuroLeague Regular Season. Kendrick Nunn led the Greens with 26 points.

The game started evenly, with Panathinaikos BC AKTOR taking a 9–4 lead in the 2nd minute before LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne tied it at 11–11 in the 4th. By the 8th minute, the Greens went up 22–14, closing the first quarter ahead 26–19. The visitors cut the deficit to 28–25 in the 12th minute and tied the game at 28–28 a minute later.

In the 15th minute, Panathinaikos BC AKTOR made it 38–34, but LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne took the lead 39–38 in the 18th. The Greens responded immediately with a 10–0 run to close the half ahead 48–39. By the 23rd minute, they extended their lead to double digits (51–41) and pushed it further to 56–43 a minute later.

The visitors closed in at 58–51 in the 26th minute, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR built a 14-point lead (68–54) by the 29th. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne answered with a 6–0 run to end the third quarter at 68–60, and then reduced it to 70–64 in the 31st. The French side got as close as 72–69 in the 32nd minute, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR responded with a 4–0 spurt to make it 76–69. In the 35th minute, Villeurbanne came back again to 78–75. However, Ergin Ataman’s team managed the closing moments effectively, securing the 91–85 victory.

Quarter scores: 26–19, 48–39, 68–60, 91–85

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR (Ataman): Shorts 4, Kalaitzakis, Osman 12 (2), Holmes 24, Sloukas 2, Rogkavopoulos, Grant 5 (1), Nunn 26 (2), Grigonis 3 (1), Hernangomez 5 (1), Mitoglou 6, Yurtseven 4.
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (Poupé): Seljaas 7 (1), Atamna, Ajinça 10 (2), Massa 5, Jackson 4 (1), De Colo 18 (3), N’Gouama 1, Lighty 13 (3), N’Diaye 2, Watson 10 (2), Vautier 4, Traore 11 (3).

Ataman: “Every win is important”

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR head coach Ergin Ataman spoke at the press conference following the home victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne:

“It wasn’t an easy win because defensively we made many mistakes again, and they made 15 three-pointers, shooting 45% from the field — that’s quite a high percentage. Offensively, we played well at times; Osman made good plays in several possessions. Holmes was positive, contributing both offensively and defensively with rebounds — those are positives. We didn’t get good contribution from our guards; the three guards didn’t help either offensively or defensively. Every win is important. We started this double-game week with a win, and now we’ll focus on the game in Istanbul.”

On Holmes’ performance, Ataman commented:
“He’s gaining confidence and trust from his teammates and from us as well. He showed his abilities, and I hope he continues like this.”

Regarding Grigonis and the team’s free-throw percentage, he said:
“Grigonis has quality and experience. Missing last season wasn’t easy for him. He needs to find rhythm. I’m happy he scored tonight, and I’m sure he’ll contribute more in the future. The free throws were what they were — it’s strange. What mattered to me wasn’t the missed free throws but the fact that Villeurbanne made 15 threes.”

Finally, when asked about the preparation after the loss to Olympiacos and the demanding schedule, Ataman replied:
“These are games you can win or lose — it’s not something complicated. I don’t want to talk about the derby with Olympiacos, it’s over. Now, we’ll focus on the game against Efes in Istanbul.”