By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Tel Aviv prevailed over Zalgiris Kaunas with 81-74. This way, Israeli team improves to a 6-4 record, while Zalgiris falls to 5-5.
The key: Maccabi gained a considerable lead before halftime and even though Zalgiris tried to bounce back in the last minutes, nothing changed till the end.
The star: Norris Cole. From start to bottom the American guard was impressive, notching 26 points. This is a season-high for the two-time NBA champion. Milaknis’ 19 points were not enough for the visitors.
Both teams started the game with many mistakes and inefficiency but centers’ were there. Parakhouski, Tyus and Davies were the players who scored the most. The score was 15-14.
In the second quarter, the visitors took the lead, with Pangos and Ulanovas showing the way. In the last minutes, Maccabi bounced back with Jackson and Thomas who made some tough shots. Cole made an impressive three-pointer and increased Maccabi’s lead to double digits. The first half ended 39-29.
A 6-0 run early in the third period helped Maccabi escape, as Zalgiris didn’t score for the first two minutes. Israeli side had the control of the game and took advantage of Zalgiris’ many turnovers. Cole was dominant up to that point and with his 23 points helped his team a lot.
Zalgiris tried to reduce the deficit and did it. Lithuanians made it a 3-point game five minutes before the end with two huge 3-pointers by Milaknis but Cole was the right man and finished the job he started.