IN BRIEF

BASKETBALL

Violence erupts during Greek League finals

Panathinaikos beat archrival Olympiakos 69-67 in the opening game of the Greek League finals Thursday, with riot police on hand to control fans inside and outside the arena.

Former Atlanta Hawks swingman Josh Childress had 23 points for Olympiakos.

"The violence we saw will make me think real hard over my future in Europe," said Childress, who signed a three-year deal worth $20 million with Olympiakos in July.

The game was interrupted for nearly 20 minutes with 1:25 to play and Panathinaikos leading 60-58.

Olympiakos fans threw a flare, plastic bottles and other items at Panathinaikos' bench during a timeout, sending the players scampering for safety.

GOLF

Rookie shares lead at Nelson Championship

PGA Tour rookie James Nitties finished with four consecutive birdies for a 5-under-par 65 and a share of the first-round lead with Ken Duke in the HP Byron Nelson Championship at Irving, Texas.

The 26-year-old Australian who appeared on the Golf Channel's "Big Break" series finished second at the PGA Tour qualifying tournament last fall.

Duke snapped a streak of 11 consecutive rounds in the 70s to share the first-round lead for only the second time in 118 career starts.

Also: Scott Hoch bogeyed the final two holes for a 4-under 66 and a share of the first-round lead with Tom Purtzer in the Senior PGA Championship at Beachwood, Ohio.

France's Karine Icher and South Korea's Hee Young Park shot 8-under 64s to share the first-round lead in the final LPGA Corning Classic at Corning, N.Y.

England's David Horsey and Anthony Wall and Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot 5-under 67s to share the first-round lead in the BMW PGA Championship in Virginia Water, England.

MISCELLANEOUS

Delaware court hears sports betting issue

The Delaware Supreme Court might weigh in on whether a sports betting lottery complies with the state constitution, with justices on Thursday listening to oral arguments on reasons they should issue an opinion.

Gov. Jack Markell has requested the court's view on the bill he signed last week under which Delaware would become the only state east of the Rocky Mountains offering sports wagering.

An attorney for the NFL, which opposes the lottery, said the league would wait for the justices' opinions before deciding whether to challenge the wagering legislation in court.