EuroLeague: Valencia Stuns OAKA Again, Forces Game 5 (86-89) [2-2]

ATHENS — Valencia Basket won again at OAKA and forced a Game 5 in their EuroLeague playoff series against Panathinaikos with an 86-89 victory. The series, marked by four consecutive road wins, will now be decided in Spain on Wednesday, May 13, in a winner-take-all matchup for a Final Four berth.

Box score

The orange squad delivered a very serious performance from the start. As had happened in Game 3, Panathinaikos came out cold and Valencia punished them from the opening quarter, finding open shots, good looks near the rim, and second chances on the offensive glass. The 15-26 score at the end of the first period reflected the visitors' early superiority, who managed to build double-digit leads.

Panathinaikos tried to respond before halftime, spurred on by the emergence of Cedi Osman in the second quarter. The Turkish wing scored 11 points in that stretch and allowed the Greek squad to cut into the deficit, though Valencia managed to stay ahead at the break (37-44). The Spanish team, despite finding more difficulty attacking the rim, maintained control of the game throughout the first half.

The home reaction came with force after the halftime break. Osman kept up the momentum and Kendrick Nunn took over on offense with 11 points in the third quarter. A three-pointer from him put Panathinaikos ahead for the first time (49-48), energizing OAKA and completely changing the atmosphere of the contest. However, Valencia didn't fall apart. They responded with two consecutive three-pointers when the score was 53-52 and regained the initiative (53-58).

The game then entered a period of maximum tension. Panathinaikos tied it up again (65-65) with 7:20 remaining, but Valencia found another answer with a 5-0 run that gave them breathing room (67-72).

In the decisive minutes, the orange team executed with personality and a layup from Jean Montero extended the lead to 77-86.
Panathinaikos still had one last chance. Four quick points, a technical foul on Valencia, and free throws made by Hayes-Davis tightened the score to 83-86 with 19.6 seconds left. Montero answered from the line with two free throws for 83-88, before Osman cut it close again to 86-88 after several offensive rebounds by the home team.

Matt Costello had the final say from the free throw line. He made the first, missed the second, and left the final 86-89. Hayes-Davis launched from deep looking to force overtime, but missed and Valencia sealed a huge victory in Athens.

With the win, Valencia Basket records their second consecutive road victory at OAKA and turns the series into a winner-take-all in Spain. Panathinaikos, who had secured two road wins in the first games, is now forced to win away again to reach the Final Four.