Williams-led Maccabi defeat PAO and get closer to clinching a playoffs spot / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

In one of the most classic clashes of European basketball, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (7-18) welcomed Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (14-11) at OAKA Arena.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Derrick Williams Points 17 Accuracy 6-12 Rebounds 6 Assists 3

Though, the legendary arena was turned yellow tonight. Sixth-placed Israeli powerhouse made a huge step towards sealing a place in the playoffs, overcoming PAO 95-83 (23-26, 32-20, 15-12, 25-25).

It was the first Maccabi win at OAKA since December 19, 2013.

Even though Maccabi created a 15-point lead (76-61) at the start of the fourth quarter, Ioannis Papapetrou and Nemanja Nedovic-led PAO cut their deficit to only 5 points (74-79) with 5:40 to go. The Greens spurted 13-3.

Both clubs were trading buckets, while Derrick Williams let Maccabi breathe easier (86-77) with a long-distance dagger. 3:44 were left on the clock.

Jalen Reynolds started his domination under the baskets and Macabbi were too far for Panathinaikos (90-79).

Derrick Williams led the route for Maccabi, registering 17 points (2/5 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 1/3 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a game-high 23 PIR.

"I am very happy that we managed to translate the effort we put on defense into points on offense. It was a tough game because they are a tough team, especially here, and I am happy we managed to take this win," Avi Even said post-game.

For the losing side, Nemanja Nedovic went off for 21 points (1/1 2PT, 5/12 3PT, 4/4 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, and 20 PIR.

"It is both [an] energy and concentration problem. And of course, defensively it is not a score that you can win a game with. If you allow so many points, it is almost impossible. Today our problem was defensive," Dimitris Priftis commented after the loss.

2-pointers this season

54%20,8Points made:20,8Accuracy:54,1%Place in standings:3Record max:27Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Ante ZizicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Maccabi ran away from the hosts at the end of the second quarter. Powered by Jalen Reynolds, Derrick Williams, and John DiBartolomeo, the Israeli champs organized a 10-0 run and had plus seven (53-46), going into the break.

It was not too long, as Maccabi gained a double-digit advantage in the third. After James Nunnally's triple and Derrick Williams' free throw, the visitors were up by 10 (59-49).

The yellows maintained their lead until the third period ended, while John DiBartolomeo nailed a buzzer-beating three to give his team a 12-point lead (70-58) before the last 10 minutes of the match.

PAO missed Stefan Jovic, Lefteris Bochoridis, Nikos Chougkaz, and Okaro White in this game, while Maccabi could not rely on Khyri Thomas.

White is hospitalized with the flu, while Chougkaz and Thomas hadn't been registered by January 14 (the initial date of the game).

Maccabi: Derrick Williams 17 (6 REB), Jalen Reynolds 16 (9 REB), James Nunnally 15 (8 REB), Ante Zizic 13, Keenan Evans 11 (6 AST, 4 STL), Scottie Wilbekin 9 (9 AST), Iftah Ziv 9.

Panathinaikos: Nemanja Nedovic 21, Ioannis Papapetrou 17, Daryl Macon 13, Eleftherios Mantzoukas 11.

Highlights

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