Panathinaikos’s experience beats AEK’s enthusiasm
AEK pushed Panathinaikos all the way in the Athens derby that took place on Sunday at the Olympic Sports Hall, but the Greens escaped with victory from this away fixture to keep their perfect record in the league intact and ensure they will be top at the halfway point of the regular season next weekend.
Panathinaikos had a strong finish to the game and won 67-64 as AEK’s last few attacks were all too rushed to bring a result, with 0/7 three-pointers in the last two minutes.
Olympiakos therefore stayed one point from the top with an easy 83-62 home win over Apollon Patras on Sunday.
Aris took advantage of AEK’s loss to move up to joint third through a rather comfortable 72-60 victory over visiting Rethymno on Saturday, ahead of its return to the Eurocup in midweek.
Another Eurocup challenger, PAOK, scored a precious win that has lifted it to the fifth place, along with the team it beat at Amaliada on Sunday, as PAOK defeated host Korivos 75-65.
Kavala scored its second win in 12 games defeating Arkadikos 85-74 at home, while there were also home triumphs for Kifissia over Kolossos Rhodes (77-69) and Trikala against Lavrio (81-77).
