A successful start of the Euroleague season for Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv with a 88-73 win over Unicaja Malaga
Ten thousans spectators in the Nokia Arena were treated to a typical early season game with many ups and downs. A great opening saw Maccabi take a 14-02 lead. But at the end of the first quarter only 20-17 for Maccabi. The second perid was brilliant with Jasikevicus coming off the bench and firing 12 pts & 4 assists. Together with an excellent Nikola Vujcic Maccabi ran 33-12 and at the half led 53-29. The third quarter was even (17-14 for Maccabi) and then Maccabi opened a 34 points gap at the start of the final peiod (77-43). But then the intencity diminshed specially in defense. The visitors exploited the situation with three consecutive three pointers and a lot of free throws. After a 26-04 run, the lead was cut to 12 pts (81-69). A David Bluthenthal basket on the buzzer made it a 15 points win.
A gigantic game for Nikola Vujcic with 32 pts in 65% field goals and 8 rbds. Saras scored 14 pts in 67% field goals and 8 assists.