Panathinaikos and Real profit from long-range experts
ByReuters
Updated 31/10/2014 at 00:14 GMT
Former champions Panathinaikos and Real Madrid reaped the rewards of lethal three-point shooting as their guards' long-range artillery lit up the third round of the Euroleague's preliminary group stage.
Real Madrid's Tunisian centre Salah Mejri (L) vies with Niznhy Novgorod's forward Ivan Viktorov during the Euroleague Group A match (AFP)
Image credit: AFP
The designated match of the week turned into one-way traffic as Panathinaikos hit 14 of their first 16 three-point attempts in a 91-73 rout of Fenerbahce, handing their former coach Zeljko Obradovic a sour homecoming.
The trophy-laden Serb, who had steered Panathinaikos to five of their six titles in Europe's premier club competition, watched helplessly as A.J. Slaughter hit seven of 10 shots from behind the arc to lead the Greek side with 23 points.
"It was a terrific game from us, we didn't expect such a margin but it happened and we enjoyed it," Panathinaikos centre Esteban Batista told the Euroleague's official website.
"You cannot rely every night on such outstanding three-point percentages," said the 31-year old Uruguayan centre after chipping in with 14 points.
Real, winners of a record eight titles, made light work of of Russians Nizhny Novgorod with a 112-83 home drubbing thanks to American Jaycee Carroll, who netted 32 points after nailing seven of nine three-point attempts.
Red Star Belgrade also delighted their 16,000 home fans with a 76-63 win over Valencia, Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised to an 84-69 victory at Alba Berlin and Zalgiris Kaunas upset Anadolu Efes Istanbul 65-62 away.
Having suffered a shock defeat at Lithuanian debutants Neptunas Klaipeda last week, Red Star bounced back with the help of fervent home support in a packed Belgrade Arena.
Playmaker Marcus Williams and towering centre Boban Marjanovic were the Serbian side's dynamic duo, the former racking up 14 points and eight assists while the latter netted 16 to go with nine rebounds.
Stunned by the noise, Valencia were on the back foot from the start and livewire Williams acknowledged it was a telling factor.
"We are getting fantastic support from our fans and it's like having an extra man on the court," the 28-year old American said.
"Although 'Bobby' is one of the tallest guys I have seen, it's easy to work with him because he has a soft touch and moves so well," he said, referring to the 2.21 metres tall Marjanovic.
Holders Maccabi Tel Aviv, blown away at CSKA Moscow in the previous round, recovered with a solid performance in Berlin after forward Brian Randle poured in 25 points.
A balanced team effort helped Zalgiris edge Anadolu Efes as the Lithuanians cancelled out a fine individual performance by the home team's Serbian centre Nenad Krstic, the game's top performer with 22 points and five rebounds.
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