AP Sports Preview

THESSALONIKI, Greece (Interstat) — Aris hosts Panionios in Greek HEBA A1 action Saturday at Alexandreio Melathron, with the home side seeking to solidify its winning record against a visiting team mired in a difficult season.

Aris enters the 8 p.m. local tipoff with a 21-19 overall record across all competitions. The team most recently fell 92-81 on the road against Olympiacos on April 19, despite 19 points and eight rebounds from forward Amine Noua. The 26-year-old Frenchman has been a consistent producer, averaging 15 points or more in his last four outings, including a 31-point, seven-rebound performance at Kolossos Rodou on March 28.

Panionios carries an 8-32 overall record into the matchup. The visiting club dropped a 71-57 decision at home to AEK on April 19, with guard Joe Thomasson logging 19 points, three rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. Thomasson’s production has been uneven this season — he scored just four points against Iraklis on April 4 and two points at Karditsas on March 29.

The teams met once earlier this season, with Aris winning 90-73 at Panionios on Oct. 25, 2025.

Aris has won three of its last five games, though two of those victories came against teams with losing records. Panionios has lost four of its last five contests.

Key matchups to watch include Noua against Panionios’ interior defense, and whether Thomasson can regain the scoring touch he showed against AEK. For Aris, guard Elijah Mitrou-Long added 15 points in the loss to Olympiacos, while forward Ronnie Harrell contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.

Panionios center Nate Watson posted six points and seven boards in the AEK defeat.

Saturday’s game tips off at 8 p.m. local time.