With a record of 12:3 and the desire to get back into winning ways Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv face Hapoel Holon on the road. Maccabi's offensive rhythm in the first quarter could not be denied enroute of a double digits lead. The hosts managed to impose their will on both ends of the court in the second quarter as they outscored the visitors 35:16 taking the 51:43 lead at halftime. The squad in yellow and blue tried to get back into the game and even managed to take the edge deep in the fourth quarter but Holon reacted to secure the 100:95 home win. The Israeli reigning champs will now focus on their next game against Olympiacos on Thursday.
Coach Sfairopoulos' starting five: Pargo, Roll, Zoosman, Cohen and Black. Black completed the three point play but Holon reacted with a 5:0 run to take the 5:3 lead. Tarik dominated the boards doing as he pleased giving Maccabi the edge (6:7). Pargo scored three threes and Caloiaro added one of his own to make it a double digit lead forcing coach Shamir to call for a timeout with the scoreboard showing 11:21. Atkins scored from deep but Zoosman had the final say in the first quarter for Maccabi keeping the visitors ahead in double digits (16:27).
Roll and John-Di increased Maccabi's lead at the beginning of the second quarter, Holon tried to create a mini momentum but a corner three by Caloiaro kept them at bay (21:35). Simchon scored from deep and Pnini completed a three point sparking a 9:0 run to make it 30:35. Both teams traded blows as the hosts continued their comeback with Jones completing a four point play tie the game (41:41). John-Di scored but Holon answered with an 8:0 run to finish the first half with the 51:43 lead.
Both teams traded blows from deep at the beginning of the third with the hosts capitalizing as they increased their lead to 57:46. Pargo and Black scored but Pnini reacted from deep to keep his team ahead in double digits (64:53). Cohen and John-Di tried to spark a run for Maccabi but Reynolds scored from downtown to make it 73:64. Zoosman had the final say in the quarter scoring from deep to trim the locals' lead to 73:67.
Maccabi found its rhythm at the beginning of the fourth quarter coming all the way back to 77:74. The duo of Johnny-Di managed to keep Maccabi close to the hosts with the fourth quarter reaching its halfway mark (82:79). John-Di and Tarik scored to bring coach Sfairopoulos' squad to within a striking distance forcing coach Shamir to call for a timeout (84:83). Zoosman capitalized on the offensive board to give Maccabi the 84:85 edge. Jones and Walden reacted with six points to give Holon the 90:85 lead from which Maccabi could not recover as they lose 100:95 on the road dropping to a record of 12:4.