After beating both Darussafaka and Ness Ziona in a span of 72 hours the squad of coach Sfairopoulos faced Rishon Le Zion on the road wanting to remain on top of the domestic standings. Both teams stayed close and neither one of the sides really managed to create a comfortable lead as the game went to a double overtime where Kane found Zoosman for the play that gave Maccabi the edge and eventually the 92:94 win. The yellows will now rest and start to prepare to their next game against Bayern on Thursday on the road.
Coach Sfairopoulos' starting five: Black, Cohen, Kane, Zoosman and Wilbekin. Great ball movement by Maccabi resulted in an early 3:9 lead for Maccabi forcing coach Goodes to call for a timeout. Rishon managed to get closer to the visitors but Kane kept them at bay (7:12). Blayzer brought Rishon to within a striking distance making it a one point game but it was Tyus who was the last to score in the first quarter putting Maccabi ahead 14:17.
John-Di's wing dagger sparked the offense in yellow and blue who found its rhythm increasing their lead in the second quarter (17:24). Hamilton and Long scored to trim Maccabi's lead and Koulechov completed the locals' comeback with an open three (31:30). The squad of coach Sfairopoulos kept their composure as they converted good defense into instant offense taking the 33:38 lead. Long capitalized from deep to trim Maccabi's lead making it 40:42 at halftime.
Both sides traded blows in the third quarter with neither one of the sides really managing to fully capitalize (50:52). Segev and Koulechov scored for the locals who took the 55:54 edge, Scottie reacted for Maccabi but Hamilton answered with five points increasing his team's lead to 60:56. Kane's buzzer beating layup was followed with a transition three by Pargo who also scored from the free throw line to finish the third quarter with the scoreboard showing 62:62.
Kane started the fourth quarter with a wing three giving the visitors the 62:65 lead, Rishon reacted but Pargo kept Maccabi ahead (64:67). Hamilton completed the three point play as Rishon was able to take the one point lead as they also capitalized on an unsportsmanlike foul (68:67). Pargo found Tyus for an easy hook shot sparking a 6:0 run to give Maccabi the 71:75 lead. Long score to keep Rishon within a striking distance (73:75). Hamilton tied the game with 13.9 seconds remaining in the game, Maccabi had the chance to win the game but missed the last shot sending the game to overtime (77:77).
Hamilton scored five points to give his team the 82:77 lead, John-Di reacted for Maccabi but Blayzer capitalized on the offensive boards making it 84:79. The squad of coach Sfairopoulos remained resolute with Pargo scoring and then dishing a beautiful dime to John-Di who scored the corner three trimming Rishon's lead to 86:84. Stephens was fouled and sent to the line but he missed both free throws giving Maccabi the chance to tie the game which they did with Roll coming up big on both ends of the floor (86:86). Rishon had the chance to win but Zoosman stood his ground as the game went to a second overtime.
Tyus and Pargo gave Maccabi the 90:88 lead but Segev tied the game with a high post jumper. Stephens tied the game (92:92); from that point on both teams struggled to score but great hustle by Scottie gave Maccabi the ball, Kane took it inside and found Zoosman who got the job done making it 92:94 with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game. Long got the ball for the last shot but Tarik beat him to the punch delivering a game winning block as Maccabi secures the 92:94 road win in a double overtime thriller.