Kendrick Nunn proves that he is truly one of the best attackers in this EuroLeague, scoring the decisive basket at the siren to deliver to Panathinaikos the 15th victory in the last 19 games. The Greeks emerged victorious against a Virtus Bologna team capable of coming back in the second half after being even at -17.
The first quarter has a first and last name: Jerian Grant, who perhaps mindful of his past in Milan leaves Virtus speechless by scoring 13 points in the first 10 minutes. Panathinaikos, after the first 4 minutes of balance, takes off reaching +12 with which the first half ends, 16-28. At the beginning of the second quarter Kendrick Nunn also entered the game, scoring his first 2 points while guests hit +17 with Lessor. Bologna seems to be in the corner, but in the last 2 minutes of the first half they score 5 points in a row which give them energy again, despite the fact that at half-time the score was 39-51.
In the third quarter, Virtus continues to chase from distance, at least in the first few minutes scores a 7-0 run with 5 points from Marco Belinelli to quickly get back to -6. Ataman calls a timeout, but upon returning to the field the Bianconeri still have the inertia of the match on their side, remaining glued to the match until Shengelia scores 59-65 which closes the third period. The Georgian also scores the first basket of the fourth quarter, a triple which must be added to the 2 points added shortly afterwards by Mickey for -1. Panathinaikos tries a timid extension, but it is recovered in an amen by 5 consecutive points from Lundberg which equalize the score at 69. For a moment Virtus also found the advantage with two free throws from Shengelia, but here Nunn takes over with 5 points in a row for the new +3 guest which forces Banchi to time out. A bit of a fight in the mud in the Panathinaikos area leads to Belinelli’s triple for the equalizer which wakes up Virtus. Pajola takes the break on Nunn and Belinelli signs the +2 Bologna taking advantage of a sleep by the Greek defense.
Sloukas equalized with free throws but Grigonis spared Virtus by missing the triple for a possible lead. On the other hand, however, Dobric does not forgive from the corner, but the new Juventus +3 is canceled out by a tap-in with a foul suffered by Grigonis himself with 32″ on the clock. After an error by Virtus Bologna, the last ball of the match belongs to Panathinaikos: obviously it ends up in the hands of Nunn who on the siren, https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1773825294400356511the Segafredo Arena crowd freezes, it ends 79-81.
It is the fifth defeat in a row in the EuroLeague for Virtusnow at 17-15 and now certain of having to go through the Play-in to play in the postseason.
Virtus Bologna: Lundberg 11, Belinelli 17, Pajola 2, Dobric 11, Lomazs NE, Shengelia 19, Hackett 3, Mickey 2, Polonara 5, Zizic 2, Dunston 4, Abass 3.
Panathinaikos: Kalaitzakis, Vildoza NE, Balcerowski NE, Sloukas 20, Papapetrou, Grant 13, Nunn 16, Lessor 10, Antetokounmpo, Grigonis 12, Hernangomez 3, Mitoglou 7.
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