Laboral Kutxa beat Panathinaikos in overtime

In a thrilling playoff clash that came down to the final seconds – twice! – Laboral Kutxa Vitoria Gasteiz edged Panathinaikos Athens 82-78 after overtime in Game 2 of their Turkish Airlines Euroleague Playoffs series at Fernando Buesa Arena on Friday night. Laboral now leads the best-of-five affair 2-0, but the action moves to the Greek capital next week for Game 3 – and, if necessary, Game 4. Labaoral was missing several key players – including ace defender Adam Hanga who was hurt in Game 1, and Coach Velimir Perasovic mostly stuck to a six-man rotation. Nevertheless, Laboral led by 2 at halftime and extended its advantage to 10 early in the fourth quarter. Panathinaikos fought back and tied it on a late three-pointer by Dimitris Diamantidis to eventually send the game to overtime. Ioannis Bourousis put Laboral in front, but it wasn’t decided until Miroslav Raduljica missed a shot in the paint with 10 seconds left and Darius Adams iced the game from the line for the hosts. Adams made 5 of 11 shots from behind the arc and finished with 24 points to lead the winners. Bertans made 4 of 7 threes to score 15, Bourousis added 14 points and 9 rebounds, Mike James totaled 13 and 9 and Kim Tillie added 10 points. Diamantidis led the Greens with 17 points and 6 assists, Elliot Williams scored 12, Ognjen Kuzmic 11 and Raduljica 10. James posted 10 rebounds and blocked 2 shots as Panathinaikos outrebounded Laboral 39-51.