Panathinaikos Dominates Maccabi (90-67) With Suffocating Defense

Panathinaikos didn't allow Maccabi Tel Aviv to play. The Greek side won 90-67 in Athens in EuroLeague Matchday 3 with a defensive performance that controlled the entire game, leaving the Israeli team with just 24 points at halftime and 0-for-10 from three-point range.

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First Quarter Decided It All

The 25-10 first quarter says almost everything. The Greeks came out pressing on every passing lane and Maccabi had no offense: no outside shooting, no rhythm, no easy baskets. The second quarter was more controlled (18-14) but changed nothing, and at halftime the scoreboard showed 43-24, which was already decisive.

Twenty-four points in twenty minutes. That's the number that defines this game.

Maximum Lead in the Third

Far from easing up, Panathinaikos turned up the pressure after halftime. They won the third quarter 25-19 and reached the game's largest lead at the end of the period: twenty-five points (68-43). The fourth quarter was little more than a formality, with Maccabi winning it by two (22-24) when it no longer mattered.

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Yabusele Leads, Balanced Scoring

Guerschon Yabusele was the leading scorer with 17 points, but what stood out about Panathinaikos was the balanced attack. Nigel Hayes-Davis added 13 points, three rebounds and three assists, Sylvain Francisco and Lefteris Mantzoukas each contributed 11, Isaac Bonga chipped in 10 and Konstantinos Mitoglou finished with 8 points and 8 rebounds.

The most significant detail is Hayes-Davis's return, playing for the first time after a month and one day out. The American had missed the start of the competition, like other key names on the Greek roster, and his return strengthens a team that was already winning without him.

Niko Rogkavopoulos was unable to play after suffering a back muscle strain during warmups.

Four Undefeated Teams, Greeks on Top

With this victory, Panathinaikos maintains a perfect record and stays atop the standings. The matchday leaves four teams with three wins in three games: Panathinaikos, Fenerbahce, Partizan and Valencia Basket.

Maccabi, meanwhile, leaves Athens with a loss that stings because of how it happened. Sixty-seven points and a first half without outside shooting leave little to hold onto.