By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
The hosts prevailed by three points (94-91) against Valencia Basket in what was their first-ever matchup. The team from Israel improved its record to 7-4, while the Spanish side slipped to 3-8 losing their seventh straight game and remaining last in the standings.
The key: Maccabi‘s fourth quarter and the 9-0 run in the final minutes of the game decided to a large extent the result of the final score. Valencia had an opportunity to send the game into overtime but fell short as Maccabi played tough defense.
Maccabi’s ‘Big 3’: Pierre Jackson posted up 21 points and 4 assists, while DeShaun Thomas added 20 on 8/12 shooting. Artsiom Parakhouski finished with 14.
The game: The first quarter ended with Maccabi having the upper hand and a four-point lead (25-21). The contest remained competitive in the second quarter with Valencia challenging and cutting the lead to just one point (29-28). It was all tied up after 20 minutes (46-46).
With a quick 8-0 run in the first minutes of the third quarter, the hosts showed their intentions coming off the half-time break. Despite Maccabi’s great start to the second half, Valencia tried to keep up and cut the deficit to two (62-60).
In the fourth quarter, both teams were going at it, being physical down low. With five minutes left on the clock, the score was 79-77, but then 9-0 run by Maccabi, with persistence and great shots from DeShaun Thomas, turned the tide. Once again the visitors did not look back and tried to start another comeback but could not complete it. In the final possession of the game, Erick Green fell short.
Not enough: Erick Green was on point tonight as he scored 24 points.