Olimpia Milano beat Maccabi Tel Aviv in thrilling finish

In a high-scoring showdown that came down to the final second, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan opened its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by edging Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv 99-97 at home on Thursday. Milan led 93-83 with less than two minutes remaining, but an outstanding Andrew Goudelock brought Maccabi back in the game and free throws by Devin Smith got the guests within 98-97 with 8 seconds left. After Hickman split free throws, Guy Pnini sent a length-of-the-court pass to Sylven Landesberg, whose layup attempt was blocked by Jamel McLean at the buzzer. Milan’s tally tied its second-most in a EuroLeague game, which it has now achieved three times – two of which came versus Maccabi. Milan’s record for points in a EuroLeague game is 101 in a road win at PGE Turow Zgorzelec in December 2014. Hickman led the winners with 22 points. Milan Macvan added 18 points, Miroslav Raduljica 15, Alessandro Gentile 12 and Zoran Dragic contributed 11 for Milan. Goudelock led Maccabi with 27 points. Smith added 18, Landesberg 15 and Maik Zirbes scored 13 before fouling out for the visitors. Milan will play its first road game against Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul on Thursday, when Maccabi hosts Real Madrid at Menora Mivtachim Arena.