Three days after the disappointment vs CSKA Moscow, Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv returned to the Nokia Arena and was the first Derby of the season, 83-69 vs Hapoel Samsung Tel Aviv.
Maccabi went to a flying start 14-03 at the fourth minute with three 3 pointers by Sarunas Jasikevicius. Hapoel came back and a three pointer from behind the half way line by A. J. Guyton made it 28-27 for Maccabi at the end of the first quarter. The second was dominater by Maccabi (21-10) and at the half Maccabi led 49-37.
Like against CSKA, Maccabi opened a 19 points gap in the third (64-45). But in contrast to the Reds from Moscow, those from Tel Aviv did not endanger the Maccabi win although the Yellows did not play well in the final period and that is why the final margin was only 14 pts for the home team.
Saras was MVP. He played 39 minutes, scored 18 pts in 70% FG and dished 8 assists.