By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Unicaja Malaga finished the year in a style as they prevailed over Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv on the road. Joan Plaza’s unit finished the first leg of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with four straight wins, improving their record to a 7-8.
With four minutes left in the last quarter Unicaja was up by one point (74-73). Carlos Suarez used Nemanja Nedovic’s pass to nail a three-point shot, giving a 4-point lead to the visitors. Norris Cole lost the ball in the next play and Nedovic made two free throws that sealed the deal for Unicaja. The final result was 89-78 for the Spaniards.
The Key: Joan Plaza used the halftime break to organize his team. The Spaniards were a much better team in the second half, especially in the third quarter during which they let Maccabi score just 11 points.
The hosts were by three points (22-19) after the first quarter mostly because of Cole. The American guard scored seven points in that period adding one assist as well.
He was not alone. Maccabi scored with ease on the way to a 47-39 halftime lead, making seven threes out of 16 attempts.
Things change in the second half with Nedovic scoring seven points in five minutes as Unicaja tied the score at 54. Giorgi Shermadini closed the third quarter with four straight points, giving Unicaja the lead (61-58).
The Stars: Shermadini was one board away from the double-double game scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Nedovic also had a great game with 20 points and 6 assists.
Norris Cole had a game-high for Maccabi with 16 points, but couldn’t save the day. With this loss Maccabi fall to an 8-7 record.
Photo credit: Euroleague