Panathinaikos beats CSKA Moscow for tournament win

PanathinaikosPanathinaikos Athens received a confidence boost ahead of the Euroleague season by seeing off current champs CSKA Moscow to clinch the Diamonds are Forever preseason tournament. The Greek giant hosted the tournament over the last few days to commemorate the retirement of Greek Basketball great Dimitris Diamantidis.

The hosts overcame the Russian club 80-73 thanks to an exciting second half comeback. Panathinaikos looked excellent in the first frame and hauled 25 points for a six point advantage. CSKA Moscow showed the fight of champions with an impressive second quarter. The Euroleague holders drained 29 massive second quarter points and stopped Athens at 14 points for a 48-39 halftime lead.

That advantage looked to be enough, but The Greens had plenty more to offer in the second half. Panathinaikos got the ball rolling in the third quarter, scoring 24 points. The Army Men could only manage 15 in response and through thirty minutes the scoreboard was locked on 63-63. In the fourth act, the hosts got mean in defense and stopped CSKA at 10 points, allowing the attacking freedom to mount the victory.

Ioannis Bourousis was excellent with 18 points for the Greek team, while Nick Calathes secured 14 points in the win.

James Augustine managed 18 points in the losing effort, with current Euroleague MVP Nando De Colo adding 13 points.

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