With almost zero time to rest after the getting the important win in Milan, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv traveled up north to Haifa where they continued their momentum getting the 85:75 win as they remain as the number one seed in the domestic standings with a 12:3 record. On Thursday: traveling to Kaunas to face Zalgiris.
Coach Spahija's starting five: Cole, John-Di, Kane, Thomas and Tyus. Both teams were tied two minutes into the game (4:4). As the first quarter reached its halfway mark both teams were still tied (7:7). John-Di made back to back threes to give Maccabi the edge (18:17), Cole's thunderous dunk followed by another one by Cohen gave the yellows the 23:20 lead, however, Workman beat the buzzer to finish the first quarter with both teams tied again (23:23).
The yellows opened the second quarter focused as Art and Cohen completed a 7:0 run, the marvelous cooperation between Cohen and Art continued as the Art connected with Cohen's pass to increase their lead to 33:25, Cole made it a double digit lead (35:25). The locals cut the yellow's lead down to six points, but Cohen and Segev reacted as they increased their lead to 42:31. Norris scored from way downtown to finish the first half with the 47:36 lead.
John-Di scored a three pointer in the beginning of the third quarter but Haifa reacted with four points (50:40), the greens scored back to back threes to cut the yellows lead down to six points (52:46), but Tyus reacted with four hustle points to regain the double-digit lead (56:46). Cohen scored after getting the offensive rebound and its 60:48 yellow lead. Haifa completed a 6:0 run (62:55) which forced coach Spahija to call for a timeout. Thomas scored a three pointer to give Maccabi the double-digit lead again, however, Haifa reacted with Rodriguez (65:58), John-Di scored a layup to finish the third quarter with the yellows ahead 67:58.
The greens opened the fourth quarter poised as they scored back to back threes to come within a striking distance (67:64). Haifa continued their momentum but this time Cole and John-Di reacted (72:67). A three pointer by Rodriguez made a one possession game with the scoreboard showing 72:70. Workman completed the comeback as Haifa took the 73:72 lead. Tyus completed a 7:0 run (79:73), Blazer scored for the greens but Role and Kane scored for the yellows (83:75). Cole turned great defense into instant offense with a great fast break to give the yellows the double digit win 85:75.