Intro:

Maccabi Electra won a thrilling game against Panathinaikos to tie their best-of-five Euroleague play-off series at one game apiece. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona Regal defeated Unics Kazan 66-63.

Script:

The Euroleague basketball play-offs continued on Thursday night, with defending champions Panathinaikos looking to go 2-0 up in their best-of-five series with Maccabi Electra.

Panathinaikos dominated the first game and Kostas Tsartsaris's three-pointer looked like a signal of intent as they ended the first quarter 24-20 up.

However, Maccabi Electra fought hard throughout the game and took a three-point lead through the impressive Davd Blu.

Trailing 43-41 at half-time, the Israeli's roared into the lead after the break, Devin Smith sinking a three-pointer to give them some breathing space.

In a see-saw final two quarters, Blu put Maccabi ahead with just over a minute to play to silence the home crowd.

However, Kostas Kaimakoglou kept his nerve to sink a free throw and tie the game at 83-all, sending it into overtime.

Despite the backing of the crowd it was Maccabi who found a bit extra, Blu leading them to a 94-92 win to tie the series at one apiece.

In the night's other game, FC Barcelona Regal were looking to go 2-0 up in their series with Unics Kazan and made a great start as they went 11-2 up early on.

Despite a 21-point haul from Nathan Jawai, Unics were often chasing the game as the home side kept them at arms length.

Leading 33-30 at half-time, Barcelona began to pull away after the break, Kosta Perovic giving them a nine point lead in the third quarter.

However, the home were made to sweat when the impressive Jawai tied the game at 61 apiece.
Barcelona managed to keep their nerve to win the game 66-63, putting them 2-0 up heading into the third game in Russia.