Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Defeats AS Monaco 107-97 in Round 34 Thriller

Panathinaikos Secures Important Home Victory

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens emerged victorious in a competitive Round 34 encounter, defeating AS Monaco 107-97 at the TELEKOM CENTER ATHENS. The Greek powerhouse extended their winning streak with a dominant performance, particularly in the second quarter where they established a commanding lead that Monaco could never fully overcome.

The hosts entered the match on a positive run, having won three of their last four games, while Monaco arrived with momentum from three consecutive victories. Both teams knew the importance of securing a win at this crucial stage of the regular season, and the intensity reflected that from the opening tip.

Second Quarter Explosion Decides the Contest

While the first quarter was a closely contested affair ending 15-16 in favor of Monaco, the second period proved to be the difference-maker. Panathinaikos exploded for 37 points in the second quarter, their highest-scoring period of the game, while limiting Monaco to just 19 points. This remarkable 18-point swing gave the hosts a 52-35 halftime advantage and effectively took control of the contest.

Kendrick Nunn was instrumental in this surge, connecting on multiple three-pointers and orchestrating the offense with precision. The American guard finished the game with an impressive 25 points on 9-of-22 shooting, including 5-of-14 from beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot and facilitate for teammates made him nearly impossible to contain throughout the evening.

The defensive intensity from Panathinaikos during this stretch was equally impressive. They forced turnovers, contested shots effectively, and dominated the rebounding battle. Mathias Lessort anchored the defense with his physical presence in the paint, collecting 8 rebounds while adding 9 points. His efficiency rating of 17 reflected his all-around contribution to the winning effort.

Monaco's Resilient Second-Half Effort Falls Short

AS Monaco refused to surrender despite the substantial deficit. The visitors showed championship character by outscoring Panathinaikos 27-26 in the third quarter and posting an impressive 35-point fourth quarter. However, the hole they had dug in the second period proved too deep to climb out of completely.

Elie Okobo delivered an outstanding performance for Monaco, leading all scorers with 24 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting. The French guard was particularly lethal from three-point range, converting 5-of-6 attempts while also dishing out 13 assists. His efficiency rating of 34 was the highest of any player in the game, demonstrating his comprehensive impact despite the losing effort.

Jaron Blossomgame provided valuable support with 14 points and 9 rebounds, attacking the basket aggressively and finishing 6-of-9 from inside the arc. Matthew Strazel contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, showing poise in running Monaco's offense during critical stretches. The young French guard made all four of his free throw attempts and connected on a crucial three-pointer, finishing with an efficiency rating of 19.

Balanced Attack Powers Greek Giants

Beyond Nunn's stellar performance, Panathinaikos benefited from a balanced scoring attack that Monaco struggled to contain. Nigel Hayes-Davis added 12 points along with 5 assists, showcasing his versatility as both a scorer and facilitator. His court vision helped create easy opportunities for teammates throughout the contest.

Juancho Hernangomez was remarkably efficient off the bench, scoring 11 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting from two-point range while adding 6 rebounds. The Spanish forward's energy and activity provided a significant spark when he entered the game. Kostas Sloukas orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 7 assists and chipped in 10 points, including 2-of-3 from three-point territory.

TJ Shorts contributed 12 points and 5 assists in the starting lineup, using his quickness to penetrate Monaco's defense and create scoring opportunities. His ability to push the tempo helped Panathinaikos establish their rhythm, particularly during their dominant second-quarter run.

Monaco's Supporting Cast Shows Fight

While Okobo led the charge, several Monaco players delivered quality performances in support. Nemanja Nedovic scored 15 points including 3-of-5 from three-point range, providing much-needed perimeter shooting. Alpha Diallo was perfect from two-point range, converting all five attempts to finish with 12 points alongside 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

The visitor's bench rotation struggled to match Panathinaikos' depth. Nikola Mirotic managed just 8 points on 3-of-9 shooting, well below his usual standards. His inability to find his rhythm from the perimeter, where he shot 2-of-6, hampered Monaco's ability to mount a serious comeback.

Defensive Adjustments and Fourth Quarter Drama

The fourth quarter provided plenty of drama as Monaco made one final push. They outscored Panathinaikos 35-29 in the final period, cutting the lead to single digits at several points. Okobo was magnificent during this stretch, knocking down contested three-pointers and threading passes through tight windows to keep Monaco's hopes alive.

Kenneth Faried provided crucial minutes off the bench for Panathinaikos, recording 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His defensive presence and energy helped the hosts maintain their advantage when Monaco threatened. The veteran big man's experience showed in critical moments, making winning plays that don't always appear in the box score.

Down the stretch, Panathinaikos executed their offensive sets with patience and precision. They attacked Monaco's defense intelligently, drawing fouls and converting free throws to preserve their lead. The hosts shot 14-of-17 from the charity stripe, compared to Monaco's 10-of-13, with those extra conversions proving valuable in maintaining separation.

Key Statistical Categories Tell the Story

The rebounding battle was relatively even, but Panathinaikos won the turnover battle decisively. Monaco committed several costly turnovers at inopportune moments, including four from Strazel, which led to easy transition opportunities for the hosts. Kendrick Nunn recorded a steal that led to a crucial basket during the fourth quarter when Monaco was threatening.

Three-point shooting ultimately played a significant role in the outcome. While Monaco shot efficiently from deep at certain stretches, Panathinaikos had more attempts and made enough to keep the scoreboard pressure on. The hosts' ability to space the floor and create open looks from the perimeter forced Monaco to defend the entire court, opening driving lanes and post-up opportunities.

The assist numbers reflected the contrasting offensive approaches. Monaco recorded 23 assists on their field goals, with Okobo's 13 leading all players, demonstrating their ball movement and player movement. Panathinaikos distributed 18 assists, relying more on individual creation but executing effectively when it mattered most.

Implications and Looking Ahead

This victory improves Panathinaikos' position in the EuroLeague standings as the regular season winds down. Their recent form, winning four of their last five games, demonstrates they are peaking at the right time heading into the crucial final stretch. The balanced scoring attack and defensive intensity shown in this game are positive signs for their playoff aspirations.

For Monaco, the loss ends their three-game winning streak but shouldn't diminish confidence in their overall quality. The performances from Okobo and the fight shown in the second half prove they can compete with anyone. However, they must find solutions to avoid the slow starts that have plagued them recently. Getting off to a poor second quarter made their task nearly impossible against a quality opponent like Panathinaikos.

The atmosphere at TELEKOM CENTER ATHENS was electric throughout, with the home crowd providing tremendous energy that lifted their team during crucial moments. This type of home-court advantage will be vital as both teams navigate the remaining regular season games and prepare for the playoffs. Every victory at this stage carries significant weight in determining seeding and potential matchups.