Panathinaikos gets key win in Obradovic's return to Athens

In an emotional night marked by coaching legend Zeljko Obradovic's return to Athens, Panathinaikos Athens registered a pivotal win in Group E by downing Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul 76-67 in the Greek capital on Thursday. Panathinaikos improved to 6-5, stayed in playoffs territory and gained the tiebreak advantage over Fenerbahce, which dropped to 5-6. Mike Bramos led the winners with 23 points on 7-of-8 three-point shooting. Bramos tied the club record for most threes in a game – which he had already shared with Dimitris Diamantidis – and became the first player in competition history to make 7 triples in a game on three occasions. Dimitris Diamantidis added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists while Antonis Fotsis and Zack Wright each scored 10 points for Panathinaikos. Emir Preldzic led Fenerbahce with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Bojan Bogdanovic added 10 points for the guests. Nemanja Bjelica shined early, getting help from Bogdanovic and Preldzic to give Fenerbahce a 12-19 lead late in the first quarter. Wright led a 10-0 run that restored a 22-19 Panathinaikos edge soon after that. Wright kept pushing Panathinaikos and a three-point play by Diamantidis gave the Greens a 41-37 lead at halftime. Fenerbahce trailed 50-49 late in the third quarter but Fotsis, Diamantidis and Bramos combined for all the points in an 11-0 run that broke the game open at 61-49. Panathinaikos led 68-53 with six minutes left before Bogdanovic, Linas Kleiza and Bjelica brought Fenerbahce as close as 72-67 in the final minute. Diamantidis hit 4 free throws in the final 33 seconds to seal a key win. Obradovic was honored in a long on-court ceremony at halftime and a giant banner with a huge picture of Obradovic reading "King is back" was unfurled before the game.