GRE – Panathinaikos throttle Olympiacos in Game 1

ATHENS (A1 Ethniki) - Olympiacos got the better of Panathinaikos in the Greek Cup final this year and also made it all the way to the Euroleague final.

The league is proving to be a different story, though.

After clinching first place during the regular season, Panathinaikos claimed a 1-0 lead in the play-off finals with a 73-54 rout of the Reds in OAKA on Wednesday night.

The Greens dominated in every facet of the game, out-rebounding then 48-30 and out-shooting them, too.

While Pana hit 10 of 22 shots from long range, Olympiacos were an ice-cold zero for 23.

"We had control from the first to the last second," Panathinaikos coach Zeljko Obradovic said.

"Olympiacos has great players, and it is inconceivable to shoot zero for 23 three-pointers.

"Congratulations to my players for their excellent performance.”

Greece international Antonis Fotsis tormented his former national team boss, Reds coach Panagiotis Yannakis, with a four-of-six effort from long range for Olympiacos.

Both he and Mike Batiste had 13 points while Kostas Tsartsaris and Nikola Pekovic weighed in with 10 apiece.

Obradovic knows there is a long way to go in the best-of-five series.

"We only lead 1-0,” he warned, before commenting on the sixth man.

"And of course I want to thank the fans for the great atmosphere."

In the battle for third place, Maroussi edged Panellinios, 75-70, in Game 1.

William Keys poured in 17 points and Stefan Nadjfeji added 14 after drilling all four of his shots from behind the arc.

FIBA