Jerusalem, Jan 16 (.) Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv edged Lithuanian champion Zalgiris Kaunas 100-97 at home on Thursday night in round 22 of basketball EuroLeague.
The win lifted Maccabi to a 9-13 win-loss record, maintaining its push toward the top-10 and a place in the Play-In stage, while Zalgiris slipped to 12-10.
Playing in front of a capacity crowd at the 11,000-seat Menora Mivtachim Arena in south Tel Aviv, Maccabi set the tone early. Roman Sorkin and T.J. Leaf powered the hosts to a 27-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The advantage grew to 34-25 early in the second, but Zalgiris responded as Moses Wright and Deividas Sirvydis trimmed the deficit to just three points at halftime, 52-49.
Maccabi regained control after the break, with baskets from Leaf and Jimmy Clark stretching the lead to 67-57 midway through the third quarter. Still, Sylvain Francisco kept the visitors within striking distance, cutting the margin to 78-71 heading into the final period.
Oshae Brissett appeared to seal the game with a three-pointer that made it 90-78, but Zalgiris refused to fold. Wright and Francisco led a late surge that narrowed the gap to 96-94 with 1:45 remaining.
Francisco drained a clutch three with 8.4 seconds left to pull Zalgiris within two, 99-97. Clark hit one of two free throws to restore a three-point cushion, and after Maodo Lo missed a potential tie and overtime three at the buzzer, Maccabi held on to celebrate a dramatic victory.
Clark, Leaf, and Sorkin each scored 17 points for Maccabi, while Iffe Lundberg added 13. Francisco led all scorers with 22 points for Zalgiris, and Wright posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
EuroLeague leaders Hapoel Tel Aviv (14-6) travel to face Lyon-Villeurbanne on Friday, while Monaco strengthened its grip on second place by defeating Paris Basket 95-87 on the road to improve to 15-7.
Third-placed Valencia (14-7) will visit Fenerbahce on Friday, while Real Madrid hosts fourth-placed Barcelona in a basketball Clasico.
Elsewhere in the EuroLeague, Virtus Bologna beat Dubai 80-72 away, Anadolu Efes lost at home 89-75 to Baskonia, Bayern beat Panathinaikos 85-78 in Munich, and Milano lost at home to Red Star Belgrade 104-96.
. XINHUA VAN .