By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Even preseason games are quite the serious business. For Maccabi Tel Aviv this was a night to remember because of Anthony Parker’s induction to the team’s Hall of Fame. But for David Blatt and Darussafaka Dogus, this was a great opportunity to show their mettle ahead of the upcoming season.
Something that they accomplished, by winning the Israelis 90 – 86 in a Euroleague level battle and making it 11/11 in their prep matches. Maccabi fans were in the mood for partying but their beloved Blatt, who led the team to the 2014 Euroleague title, was evidently not.
It was the trio of Adrien Moerman (19 points, 6 rebounds), Brad Wanamaker (18 points) and Will Clyburn (17 points) that struck the hardest in “Menora Mivatchim”. And Wanamaker‘s hits were also quite timely since he scored 10 of his points in the last quarter.
Maccabi Tel Aviv had the lead at the end of the first half (44-43) but lost it when its opponents started to pour one 3-pointer after the other, making a total number of 17 (!). They got close on reclaiming what was theirs near the end but one crucial turnover stopped them from finishing their job.
Devin Smith dropped 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds while Yogev Ohayon added 11 and Joe Alexander 10 for the “Yellows”.