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Hayes-Davis Buzzer-Beater Gives Panathinaikos Huge Road Win Over Valencia
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece /Sports

Hayes-Davis Buzzer-Beater Gives Panathinaikos Huge Road Win Over Valencia

From Ta Nea · (1h ago) Greek Positive tone

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Panathinaikos secured a crucial away victory against Valencia, winning 107-105 in overtime to take a 2-0 lead in their playoff series.
  • American forward Nigel Hayes-Davis hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer, a pivotal moment that brought the Greek team closer to the Final Four.
  • Hayes-Davis emphasized the need to improve defensive errors and secure one more win at home with the support of their fans.

Panathinaikos has taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their EuroLeague playoff series against Valencia, snatching a dramatic 107-105 overtime victory on the road. The Greens, fueled by an exceptional performance from Nigel Hayes-Davis, who sank the game-winning basket as time expired, are now just one win away from securing a coveted spot in the Final Four. This hard-fought triumph in Spain, following their previous road win, demonstrates the team's resilience and determination.

We didn't do a very good job on defense this time, we let them get a lot of offensive rebounds. There are things we need to correct if we want to win again.

โ€” Nigel Hayes-DavisReflecting on the team's defensive performance after the game.

Hayes-Davis, the star of the night, not only delivered the decisive blow but also reflected on the team's performance post-game. While celebrating the crucial win, he pointed out areas needing improvement, particularly on defense. "We didn't do a very good job on defense this time, we let them get a lot of offensive rebounds," Hayes-Davis stated, highlighting the need to correct these mistakes for future games. This self-critical assessment, even in victory, speaks volumes about the team's high standards.

We need one more win โ€“ we need to fix our mistakes in defense.

โ€” Nigel Hayes-DavisStating the team's immediate goal and area for improvement.

The focus now shifts to Athens, where Panathinaikos will host the next two games. Hayes-Davis expressed confidence in their home-court advantage, stating, "We have two games at home to secure qualification. We have the luxury of returning to Athens with the best fans in the world." The passionate support of the Greek fans is expected to be a significant factor as Panathinaikos aims to close out the series and advance to the Final Four, a stage that carries immense significance for the club and its supporters.

We have two games at home to secure qualification. We have the luxury of returning to Athens with the best fans in the world. They support us and will help us if we play well.

โ€” Nigel Hayes-DavisExpressing confidence in the home-court advantage and fan support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.