Greens and Reds win before their clash

Panathinaikos and Olympiakos prepared for their crucial clash next Monday (January 25) in Piraeus with easy victories over Aris and Kolossos respectively, while PAOK came from behind to beat visiting AEK in a thrilling game in Thessaloniki.

Panathinaikos made a meal out of Aris in the first half before easing into the second for an 80-59 home win on Sunday that preserved its perfect record in the league to date with 14 victories out of 14 games.

Olympiakos stayed one point behind with a 73-53 result at Kolossos Rhodes on Monday, before announcing the return of its forward Costas Papanikolaou from the Denver Nuggets.

AEK led for most of the match in Thessaloniki on Saturday, but it was the host that had the last laugh at the PAOK Sports Arena, winning 79-75 to move closer to the top four: Panathinaikos is on 28 points, Olympiakos has 27, AEK is on 24, one ahead of Aris and two of PAOK.

Trikala jumped to seventh with an 85-74 home triumph over Korivos Amaliadas, one point behind Kifissia that on Saturday saw off struggling Arkadikos 78-65 at Tripoli and on Monday played out the remaining 27 seconds of its home game with Lavrio to win 83-80.

Also on Saturday Lavrio thrashed Kavala 99-63 and Apollon Patras edged out Rethymno 75-57.