By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Thanks to an incredible Mike James, Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens defeated Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv 75 – 76 in a tough game down the stretch.
With two minutes on the clock, Panathinaikos was leading the way (67-70), but Roll and Thomas scored two lay-ups to put Maccabi up with 92 seconds remaining (71-70). Kane made a crucial steal on Nikos Pappas and assisted Roll who hit the three-pointer (75-74). With seven seconds, however, Mike James had other ideas. He scored a tough lay-up, the game winner of the night. In the following possession, Thomas missed the fade-away jumper and the game was over.
After stating that it’s an adjustment period for him, Mike James played his best and most effective game of the season so far for Panathinaikos. The 27-year old equaled his career-high with 27 points (9/11 2p.) (2/8 3p.) but also made some huge plays at crunch-time including the game-winner. He also added four assists and four steals. In addition, Ian Vougioukas helped off the bench with his 16 points. Nick Calathes made assist history, surpassing Vassilis Spanoulis.
For Maccabi, Deandre Kane and Norris Cole had good games. Kane finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Cole added 14.
The game started with Maccabi on top. Alex Tyus’ dunks and Deandre Kane’s shots put Maccabi up by double-digits (38-27) in the second period. Panathinaikos however responded and went up ahead in the third period (45-47). The game was close (58-56) by the end of the third quarter, as both teams wanted the ‘W’.
Panathinaikos improved to 17-11 on the year and currently sits at the fourth spot, while Maccabi slipped to 13-15. With this result, Zalgiris qualified for the playoffs, for the first time ever in the modern era of the competition.
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