Panathinaikos BC protected home court in Athens with an 87-79 win over Monaco Basket in the Euroleague Play-in. The hosts set the tone early, controlled the glass, and rode a lively bench to the finish.

Fast start, scoreboard control

Panathinaikos jumped out 23-14 after the first quarter and stretched it to 49-34 at halftime. Monaco trimmed the gap with a 23-17 third quarter to make it 66-57, but the hosts kept their cushion down the stretch and closed it 87-79.

They led for 33:35 and held the game’s biggest lead at 17 points. Monaco’s time in front lasted 5:41, with three lead changes in total.

Backcourt duel: Shorts lifts PAO, James keeps Monaco close

TJ Shorts came off the bench and changed the tempo. He posted 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, added 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and earned a Sofascore Rating of 8.5. Kenneth Faried brought muscle with 13 points, 8 rebounds and a block, while Nikos Rogkavopoulos hit double figures with 11 and added 2 assists.

Mike James led Monaco with a big line: 25 points on 9-of-12 from the field, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. His Sofascore Rating was a game-high 8.7. Alpha Diallo added 12 points, and Matthew Strazel chipped in 8 points and 5 assists. Juhann Begarin was active with 8 points and 6 boards.