Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Panathinaikos 88-79 in Euroleague basketball

JERUSALEM - Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Greek side Panathinaikos Athens 88-79 in the 15th round of Euroleague basketball on Thursday evening.

The Israeli hosts achieved their 11th victory so far, while Panathinaikos remained with 9 wins in 15 games.

About 11,000 fans at the Menorah Mivtachim Arena in the coastal city of Tel Aviv saw the visitors dominate the first quarter, ending at a 29-13 lead, thanks to points by Deshaun Thomas and Jimmer Fredette, and rebounds by Georgios Papagiannis.

The Greek lead reached a high of 18 points in the second quarter (31-13), but three-pointers by Scottie Wilbekin and Tyler Dorsey helped Maccabi cut the margin to 43-46 at halftime.

Panathinaikos kept the lead throughout the third quarter, ending at 69-65, but Maccabi tied the game at 71-71 in the 33rd minute thanks to excellent moves by Quincy Acy.

Elijah Bryant gave Maccabi first lead in the game, 79-77, in the 35th minute, on the way to an 84-77 lead and securing the victory.

Wilbekin scored a team-high 23 points. Dorsey added 16 points and 7 assists, while Othello Hunter logged 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Thomas led Panathinaikos scorers with 24 points. Ioannis Papapetrou added 17 points.

Maccabi will play their next game in Turkey against Anadolu Efes, while Panathinaikos will host Real Madrid - with both games to be played on December 26.