Maccabi withstand Panathinaikos comeback to win 77-73 in EuroLeague

Maccabi Tel Aviv withstood an astonishing fourth quarter fightback from Panathinaikos to win 77-73 on Thursday in one of the games of the EuroLeague season so far.

The Israelis were coasting to victory with a lead of 20 points with less than six minutes remaining.

But the Greek visitors stormed back and a three-pointer from skipper Ioannis Papapetrou saw them reduce their arrears to just 74-71.

Scottie Wilbekin calmed home nerves however from the free throw line as Maccabi edged home.

Wilbekin finished with 16 points, two behind James Nunnally for Maccabi, while Daryl Macon top-scored for Panathinaikos with 17.