EuroLeague: Valencia Basket Survives Panathinaikos Comeback, Forces Game 4 (91-87) [1-2]

ATHENS. Valencia Basket defeated Panathinaikos 91-87 in Game 3 of the EuroLeague playoffs, surviving a late Greek comeback at OAKA Arena to stay alive in the series and force a fourth matchup.

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Head coach Pedro Martínez's team delivered a solid performance for much of the night, punishing Panathinaikos's defensive lapses and controlling the offensive tempo from the opening tip. Valencia Basket moved the ball fluidly, found consistent offensive advantages, and dominated the glass to build significant leads on the scoreboard.

With Jean Montero and Brancou Badio leading the attack with 16 points each, the orange squad grew stronger as the minutes ticked by. Taylor also stepped up with 14 points in a crucial game to sustain Valencia's offensive production in this EuroLeague playoff battle.

Panathinaikos, uncomfortable offensively from the start, spent much of the first half chasing the scoreboard. Additionally, Kendrick Nunn, who finished with 13 points, was hampered by foul trouble and spent significant time on the bench before fouling out.

Valencia Basket's largest lead came in the third quarter, when they reached a 19-point advantage with OAKA Arena completely silenced. The game heated up further with 3:08 remaining in the third period, when both Ergin Ataman and Pedro Martínez were ejected after receiving their respective second technical fouls.

From that point on, the game's rhythm changed. Panathinaikos responded, energized by their home crowd, and fought back into the contest with a 9-0 run down the stretch. T. J. Shorts led the hosts with 17 points, while Nikos Rogkavopoulos added 16 and Nigel Hayes-Davis contributed 15.

The Greek team pulled within three points after two free throws made by Hayes-Davis with 20.2 seconds remaining (90-87). They even forced a turnover on Valencia's subsequent inbound pass, gaining possession with a chance to tie the game.

However, on the final possession, Rogkavopoulos missed two consecutive three-pointers that would have sent the game to overtime, allowing Valencia Basket to seal a crucial victory from the free-throw line.

With this win, Valencia Basket avoids elimination and cuts into the series in these demanding EuroLeague playoffs, showing character on one of the continent's toughest courts.

Game 4 will be played again in Athens, where Panathinaikos will attempt to close out the series and Valencia Basket will look to even the matchup to force a fifth game.