Panathinaikos BC AKTOR was defeated against Anadolu Efes with a score of 82-85 in Istanbul in Game 4 of the EuroLeague Playoffs, with the series now tied 2-2. The deciding game for a spot in the Final Four will be held at OAKA. The leading scorer for the greens was Cedi Osman with 22 points.

The match was balanced in its early minutes, with Panathinaikos BC AKTOR leading 7-2 at the 2-minute mark. However, the hosts reduced the lead to 9-7 at the 3-minute mark and took the lead 10-9 shortly after. In the 5th minute, they managed to extend their lead to 14-9, but the greens equalized at 14-14 in the 6th minute and regained the lead at 14-16 in the 7th minute.

Anadolu Efes took a 21-16 lead in the 8th minute and ended the first quarter ahead 21-18. In the 11th minute, Panathinaikos regained the lead 21-22, and by the 13th minute, they had a 5-point advantage at 21-26. However, the hosts responded with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 26-26. The Turkish team took the lead again at 30-28 in the 16th minute, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR responded by going up 32-30 in the next minute.

The first half ended with Anadolu Efes ahead 38-33. In the 22nd minute, the hosts extended their lead to a double-digit advantage at 45-35, but the greens reduced the deficit to 45-42 in the next minute and tied the game at 45-45 in the 24th minute. Panathinaikos BC AKTOR went ahead 49-48 in the 25th minute and increased their lead to 54-50 in the 27th minute, only for Anadolu Efes to take the lead again at 60-57 by the 29th minute. The end of the third quarter saw the Turkish team leading by a single point, 60-59.

Panathinaikos briefly regained the lead at 61-60 in the 31st minute, but Anadolu Efes responded with a 63-61 lead in the next minute. In the 35th minute, Panathinaikos tied the game again at 66-66, but in the 36th minute, Anadolu Efes went up 71-66. The players of Ergin Ataman reduced the gap to 71-70 in the 38th minute, but the hosts maintained their lead and secured the victory to even the series.

Quarter scores: 21-18, 38-33, 60-59, 85-82

Anadolu Efes (Banchi): Larkin 9, Nwora, Bryant 19, Smits 15, Thompson 9, Dozier 4, Poirier 3, Özdemiroğlu, Osmanlı 14, Otoru 6, Yılmaz 6, Willis.

Panathinaikos AKTOR (Ataman): Kalaitzakis, Brown, Sloukas 14, Osman 22, Papapetrou, Grant 3, Pleiss, Nunn 12, Gabriel, Hernangomez 15, Mitoglou 7, Yurtseven 9.

Serelis: “Anadolu Efes made big shots tonight and took the win, we will be ready for Game 5 in Athens”

Ergin Ataman’s Assistant, Christos Serelis, stated in the press conference following the away game against Anadolu Efes: “Before I talk about the game, I want to mention that I am here because Coach Ataman is not feeling very well. He has a long history with the club and has achieved great things, and he feels that some people are not showing him the respect he deserves.

Regarding the game, we knew it would be a tough match against a very good team with talented players. In the first half, we tried to win through defense, as we did in the third game. In the second half, we didn’t have good communication, and we conceded baskets from our own tactics. Four games have been decided in the last possessions with big shots. Anadolu Efes made big shots tonight and took the win. Another tough game in Athens, and I believe we will be 100% ready to win and advance to the Final Four.”