A double-double from Nick Calathes (17 points, 12 rebounds) powered Panathinaikos to a 92-79 win and a 1-0 series lead in their Greek Basket League semifinal round playoff series with PAOK on Thursday night.
Following back-to-back blowout wins over Kolossos, Calathes was more utlitized against PAOK as the Greek international returned to his double-double form to steer Panathinaikos to their 29th consecutive win in the Basket League this season.
Mike James also chipped in with 17 points for Panathinaikos as the Trifylli cruised to a comfortable win in front of a small crowd at the OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall.
PAOK, who enjoyed a more memorable night at the OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall on Saturday in a series-clinching win over AEK, were led by Dimitris Katsivelis 16 points in the loss.
Terran Petteway tallied 15 points for the visitors, but the American's efforts weren't enough to erase a devastating second quarter for Ilias Papatheorou's men.
Despite a tight opening quarter in which Panathinaikos still took a 20-15 lead, that lead grew to 20 points in the second frame as Panathinaikos surged to a 31-16 run.
The Panathinaikos lead grew even more in the second half as the home hide held firm to pad their lead by two points thanks to a 21-19 run in the third frame.
PAOK managed to do some damage control in the fourth quarter with a 29-20 run in the final frame but the effort from the Dikefale tou Vorra was far from enough to erase a disastrous second quarter.
Panathinaikos will now look to open up a 2-0 series lead when both sides meet in Athens for game two on Saturday.