Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv assured first place in Group B on the penultimate day of Euroleague’s Regular Season with a 95-82 home win vs Union Olimpija Ljubljana.
When the Slovenian led 209 in the sixth minute, there were a lot of worried faces at the NOKIA Arena. Then coach Gershon made a triple change bringing in Thomas, Baston and Kommatos alongside Sharp & Parker. The first quarter ended with Olimpija leading 26-19. By half time the margin was only two points 43-41. Maccabi had 0-6 in three pointers in the first half and Olimpija 8-20.
Maccabi had its first lead four minutes into the third period 51-50. Saras made Maccabi’s first triplet 61-54. At the end of the third Maccabi held a 65-60 lead. A 10-4 run between the 32nd and 36th minute put the home side 77-68 up. Finally Maccabi won by 13 points.
Ljubljana made 12 three pointers from 32 attempts. Maccabi had 4-14. The Euroleague champions had 59% in FG to 46% by the visitors. Maccabi were also superior in rebounding 36 to 28 & assists 18 to 11.
The fans once again picked Anthony Parker as MVP with 22 pts, 4 rbds, 4 ass & 1 blocked shot. But some other players were very close: Maceo Bsaton with 16 pts, 8 rbds & 1 block. Deon Thomas with 15 pts, 3 rbds & 2 steals. Saras with 15 pts, 8 ass & 5 rbds & Derrick Sharp with 14 pts’ 5 rbds & 3 assists.