Without Kane (suspended) and Pierre Jackson, the yellows who are entering the most crucial phase of the season wanted to start off the week with a smile and a win that will help them built a positive momentum just before they will travel to Istanbul as they will face Anadolu Efes on Thursday, however Ness Ziona's second half made sure the yellows will drop to a 14:4 record in the Israeli Winner league.
Coach Spahija's starting five: John-Di, Zoosman, Roll, Bolden and Art. Ness Ziona opened the game taking the early lead, however the yellows remained close to the visitors as the scoreboard showed 7:9 03:30 into the game. Both teams struggled to score, however the visitors were the first to capitalize as they kept their lead (11:13) with three minutes remaining in the first quarter Thomas tied the game (15:15). Dan gave the visitors the 18:19 lead as the first quarter ended.
Dan increased the visitors lead to 18:21 but Mashour and Cole sparked an 8:0 run to give the yellows the 26:21 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter, the visitors scored but a great side pick and roll with John-Di and Cohen kept Maccabi's lead (30:24), Cook and Wyatt brought Ness Ziona close within a striking distance (32:30), John-Di scored from down town to keep Ness Ziona at bay (35:30) with less than three minutes remaining in the second quarter. Roll and John-Di started a 6:0 run (41:32). Zana scored for the visitors however the yellows had the 43:35 lead at halftime.
The visitors opened the second half with an 8:0 run (43:43) forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout, Ness Ziona continued imposing their will as they increased their lead to 47:52, Cole's coast to coast fastbreak brought Maccabi close to Ness Ziona (54:52), Wyatt's back to back threes ended the third quarter with the visitors ahead 56:61.
Cohen was the first to score in the fourth quarter but Wyatt reacted with a three pointer (58:64), Dan increased Ness Ziona's lead to 58:69. Hoffman made it 58:73 forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout, both teams exchanged baskets with five minutes left in the fourth quarter (65:76). The visitors managed to increase their lead to 65:81. Maccabi's late damage control in the fourth wasn't enough as Ness Ziona got the 76:85 win.