Tip-off Time: Tuesday, 28.10.2025, 20:15 CET

Panathinaikos enters this matchup with clear ambitions to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite. After a busy summer of reinforcements, the Greek powerhouse is eyeing both the EuroLeague crown and domestic redemption against long-time rival Olympiacos. Yet, despite a 4–2 record, their performances have been far from dominant. Most of their wins have come in close fashion, and their two losses — to Barcelona and Virtus Bologna — exposed worrying flaws in both their offensive rhythm and defensive consistency.

Prediction: Maccabi Tel Aviv +11 @1.71

The loss to Virtus was particularly alarming. Panathinaikos failed to reach 70 points until the final minutes and appeared disconnected offensively, with very little ball movement and poor shot selection. It was a reminder that, despite the talent on the roster, cohesion remains an issue. Before that game, their lowest output had been 87 points in the opener against Bayern Munich, underlining how dependent their offensive flow is on individual creation rather than structured team play.

Coach Ergin Ataman is known for successfully managing star-studded rosters, but this Panathinaikos group presents a rare puzzle. Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas, and TJ Shorts are all left-handed, ball-dominant guards — and blending their styles has proven difficult. Each prefers to initiate the offense and make plays off the dribble, which often leads to stagnant spacing and predictable possessions. The chemistry between them has yet to fully click, but Shorts has recently shown signs of adjusting and may grow into a pivotal role as the season progresses.

Shooting efficiency has been one of Panathinaikos’s biggest concerns. The team averages just over 30% from three-point range, making fewer than seven threes per game — a major problem in a competition where perimeter shooting defines success. Cedi Osman has been the lone bright spot, hitting more than two triples per game at around 50% accuracy, while the rest of the squad combines for only 26%. Such inefficiency places a huge burden on their guards to create inside looks, and against well-structured defenses, that often leads to rushed or forced attempts.

Defensively, Ataman’s side hasn’t shown the toughness usually associated with his teams. They allowed over 100 points to Barcelona and have conceded 80 or more in most outings so far. Even with frontcourt power in Mathias Lessort and Juancho Hernangómez, they struggle to impose their physicality, often giving up second-chance points and losing control of the tempo. Unless Panathinaikos finds a balance between aggression and discipline, they risk being overrun by faster, perimeter-oriented opponents.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, continues to navigate another season away from home, playing their “home” games in Belgrade. The Israeli side is expected to return to Tel Aviv in December, a long-awaited move that should provide a major psychological boost. Until then, the goal is simple — stay competitive and within striking distance of the play-in zone. Despite a 2–4 record, Maccabi has proven to be a dangerous and unpredictable team capable of beating anyone on a good night.

Their last EuroLeague outing was a thrilling victory over Real Madrid, sealed by a clutch three-pointer from Tamir Blatt in the final seconds. That result showcased Maccabi’s resilience and offensive depth — they can generate points quickly and thrive in up-tempo games. However, inconsistency has been their biggest enemy. Performances fluctuate drastically from one round to the next, as seen in earlier losses where late-game decision-making and defensive lapses cost them winnable matches.

Lonnie Walker’s return to the EuroLeague has been one of the main storylines for Maccabi. His athleticism and scoring instincts make him a lethal offensive weapon, but his ball-dominant style often divides opinion. Some praise his confidence and creativity, while others criticize his shot selection and tendency to disrupt offensive flow. Alongside him, Jeff Dowtin and Jalen Hoard provide valuable scoring support, though both have struggled with consistency — Dowtin in particular can oscillate between standout and invisible performances.

Where Maccabi truly suffers is under the rim. Their frontcourt ranks among the EuroLeague’s weakest statistically, especially in rebounding, where only Baskonia fares worse in total and defensive boards. This weakness frequently allows opponents multiple offensive possessions, a flaw that compounds defensive inefficiency. Against Panathinaikos, who boast strong rebounders like Lessort and Hernangómez, that area could once again prove decisive.

Despite these flaws, Maccabi’s offensive ceiling keeps them competitive. When they move the ball well and find rhythm early, they can stretch defenses and score in bunches. Historically, they’ve also matched up well against Panathinaikos, often managing to keep games close regardless of venue.

Given Panathinaikos’s current form and ongoing struggles with shooting and spacing, Maccabi has a realistic chance to stay within reach once more. To make this and other bets on Euroleague visit best betting websites or if you are interested on betting particularly with crypto visit best crypto sports betting bookmakers.

From a betting perspective, the spread of +11 for Maccabi Tel Aviv appears generous. Panathinaikos has yet to display the cohesion or consistency to justify a double-digit handicap against a team with Maccabi’s offensive quality. Even if the hosts manage to grind out a win, the visitors’ scoring power and ability to capitalize on defensive lapses should keep the margin manageable.

❗This prediction is for guidance only. We are not responsible for your bets.

Dalius Mikalauskas

Dalius Mikalauskas is a sports betting expert and sports writer at Stakehunters, with over 20 years of experience in the field. He specializes in basketball, football, tennis, and other online sports betting markets. Dalius also has a long history as a professional poker player, spending thousands of hours playing live poker in cities like Las Vegas, London, and Paris. In recent years, he has developed a strong interest in crypto betting, combining it with his deep knowledge of online sports betting. In his free time, Dalius enjoys running marathons, showing the same determination in life as he does in his work.

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