LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (5-2) downed hosts Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (2/5) by 84-70 (24-18, 19-20, 16-15, 26-16), continuing their hot start to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
37
|
| Elie Okobo | |
| Points | 35 |
| Accuracy | 13-19 |
| Rebounds | 4 |
| Assists | 2 |
The game was tight in the first half, but Daryl Macon Jr. gave Panathinaikos a seven-point lead (34-27). However, the visitors answered with a 16-4 run to finish the half up by five (43-38).
ASVEL increased their lead to eight points at the end of the third period (68-60). But Panathinaikos didn't give up as Ioannis Papapetrou's free throws cut their deficit to two (63-65).
However, ASVEL were able to keep Panathinaikos at bay, as Elie Okobo's free throws gave them a six-point advantage with 1:14 to go (76-70). He hit a 3-pointer in the back-to-back possessions, bringing his team a 14-point win.
Okobo was spectacular tonight, accumulating 35 points (8/12 2PT, 5/7 3PT, 4/4 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, and 31 PIR.
"My teammates give me confidence every day," Okobo happily said post-game. "I am working on my game. They trust me – the coaching staff, too. Coach challenges me on the defensive end every day. My teammates make fun of me sometimes when I get a little lazy. Tonight, we knew it was going to be important."
Jeremy Evans performed well for PAO. He ended with 12 points (4/5 2PT, 4/4 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 19 PIR.
"Defensively, our team showed a great effort," ASVEL coach TJ Parker said post-game. "Every day in practice, every time in the game, they don't cheat. To keep a team that was averaging 93 points at home to 70 points, that's where you get the win. It is just one game at a time."
ASVEL: Elie Okobo 35, Chris Jones 13, Kostas Antetokounmpo 12 (6 REB, 3 BLK), David Lighty 9.
Panathinaikos: Daryl Macon 16, Ioannis Papapetrou 16 (6 REB), Jeremy Evans 12 (6 REB), Nemanja Nedovic 8.
Highlights:
Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.
