By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
One week before the end of Top16, Maccabi Tel Aviv secured its place in the play offs, where it will face second placed in Group E EA7 Milano, by beating Bayern at Munich 94-92. Former Bayern player Tyrese Rice with two free throws secured a three points lead (94-91) which proved enough for the guests to take the win. In total Rice with 18 points was the top scorer of the winners.
Bryce Taylor had 22 points for the hosts, Malcolm Delaney added 17 and also 10 assists, he cut the lead to two with three seconds left with a free throw, missed his second attempt on purpose but Alex Tyus secured the rebound and the game was over.
In Athens, Panathinaikos got an easy 69-60 win over Unicaja Malaga in a game during which the hosts were always in control. Dimitris Diamantidis had 13 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and no turnovers in one of the most crucial games of his team so far in the season.
Finally in Vitoria, Laboral Kutxa crushed the last qualification hopes of Fenerbahce/ Ulker with a surprise 95-73 win. Laboral Kutxa had no play offs chances, but the pride of the Basques made all the difference against a team which couldn’t meet the high expectations of everyone, including its coach Zeljko Obradovic. Βecause of this result not only Panathinaikos, but also Olympiacos have already qualified to the play offs.