Panathinaikos followed suit with Olympiacos' strategy from a few days ago at OAKA. By regaining home-court advantage after the break at SEF, they enter Friday's game with a furious determination to win the championship.
Jerian Grant transformed Panathinaikos from the end of the second quarter onwards, stepping up for his team.
Grant, who energized Panathinaikos from the second quarter onwards and then delivered the clutch buzzer-beater, breathed new life into the "Greens." They entered the second half completely transformed, with the defence playing a dominant role in their game. Grant's appearance was the catalyst for the rest of his teammates to "wake up" on both ends of the court, finding the offensive rhythm they needed to overcome the deficit.
But defence wins championships, and the aptly named "exterminator," Grant, proved once again that he doesn't mess around. With 1:35 remaining in the thrilling game, Nan missed a three-pointer. Olympiacos rushed for a surprise play (while Panathinaikos was leading by 2), and Kostas Papanikolaou attempted a layup, but the "saviour" Grant, with his long limbs, reacted quickly and made a magnificent block, giving the "Greens" the opportunity to secure an even bigger lead.
Jerian Grant arguably made the block of the year and was clearly the game's MVP, along with Kendrick Nunn. The two of them essentially turned the game around from Olympiacos' 11-point lead.
Grant finished the game with 15 points (4/6 two-pointers, 1/1 three-pointer, 4/4 free throws), 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, and 1 foul in 31:03 minutes played.
Panathinaikos 88 - Olympiacos 85.
