Jerian Grant scored 19 points for Panathinaikos against Alba [Intime Sports].
Euroleague leaves no room for complacency even for the best of teams, as its quality and competitiveness are such that no result can be taken for granted. Olympiakos learned that the hard way on Thursday, losing at home to Red Star Belgrade, while Panathinaikos had a rather softer landing, as it managed to fend off the very strong challenge of bottom team Alba Berlin on Friday.
Red Star upset the Euroleague leader 81-73 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, in a result that means far more for the Serbs than for the Greeks.
The players of coach Giorgos Bartzokas were below standard in this game against the Reds’ friendliest of opponents, letting the Serbs lead throughout the game and pull away late in the first half by up to 17 points (41-24).
The hosts’ effort to get back into the game in the second half was to no avail and they suffered their third loss in 15 games in Piraeus. Their overall record eased to 22-8.
Sasha Vezenkov contributed 19 points and Shaquielle McKissic another 14.
Panathinaikos edged closer to the second place (as Fenerbahce lost at Monaco) with its 91-81 win over Alba in Athens.
The Greens let slip a 13-point advantage (48-35) in the third period during which they conceded 29 points.
Sporting a new coach (Pedro Calles), Alba turned things around with its impressive three-point shooting, to lead 77-69 with less than six minutes left. That was when the real Panathinaikos emerged led by Jerian Grant, to score 21 unanswered points and impressively restore its 13-point lead (90-77).
The holders are now on a 19-11 record, one win behind Fenerbahce with four games left in the regular season. Pacing them on the night were Grant with 19 points and Kendrick Nunn with 18.
