Just 48 hours after their impressive defensive display against Darussafaka, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv faced Ness Ziona in the 19th round of the domestic league. The visitors went on a scoring frenzy in the first quarter taking a 17:38 lead. The squad of coach Sfairopoulos kept their composure and didn't panic as they delivered a defensive clinic in the next three quarters limiting the visitors to only 44 points claiming the 87:82 home win. Maccabi remains on top of the domestic standing and will now start to prepare for their next game against Rishon Le Zion on the road in just 48 hours.
Coach Sfairopoulos' starting five: Wilbekin, Avdija, Caloiaro, Cohen and Black. Ness Ziona started the game firing on all cylinders, Scottie reacted for Maccabi with five points but the visitors continued to impose their will as they took the 5:13 lead. Scottie added four more points to keep Maccabi close but Zana and Gutt answered with a 6:0 run to make it 9:21. With the yellows struggling to score Gutt and Zana capitalized time and again increasing the oranges' lead (11:31). Brown Ramirez buzzer beating three gave the visitors the 17:38 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Maccabi started the second quarter reenergized and swinging enroute of completing an 11:4 run forcing coach Zilberstein to call for a timeout (28:42). Maccabi could not be denied on both ends of the floor with Johnny and Black trimming the visitors lead to 35:44. Johnny and Cohen simply dominated as they cut the visitors lead down but Brown Ramirez was the last to score in the first half (43:52).
Zoosman and Black completed a 7:0 run for Maccabi at the beginning of the third quarter to make it 49:52. The visitors tried to keep Maccabi at bay but unsuccessfully as Scottie and Kane brought the squad of coach Sfairopoulos to within a striking distance (56:57). Cohen gave Maccabi the 63:62 edge. Ness Ziona took the lead again but Scottie and John-Di tied the game. Cook scored from deep at the end of the third giving the oranges' the 71:68 lead.
Johnny started the fourth quarter with six points to give the hosts the 74:71 lead forcing coach Zilberstein to call for a timeout. Pargo's deep three gave Maccabi the 79:74 lead. Zana's free throws were answered with a 5:0 run (84:76). Cook and Gutt tried to give the visitors a fighting chance but Pargo scored to secure the 87:82 home win.