By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The clash of Maccabi and Panathinaikos in Athens lacked the quality of the past, but the thrilling finish of this Top16 game will be remembered as the Greens got a valuable 83-76 win against the defending champions who controlled most of the game.
Still, Panathinaikos had a 76-75 lead with 62 seconds left, AJ Slaughter made it a three points game (78-75), Brian Randle missed the next shot and Diamantidis 14 seconds before the end sealed the win (80-75). Maccabi accepted the defeat and wanted to keep the final points difference low in case of a future tie, but Slaughter (15 p.) with a buzzer beater three put the icing on the cake. Randle (18 p., 8 r.) and Alex Tyus (14 p., 11 r.) had a good night, but it was not enough. The absence of Devin Smith was felt and the Greens also missed Nikos Pappas due to flue.