Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv lost their exhibition game against Coach Blatt’s and LBJ’s Cleveland Cavaliers, 107-80. Landesberg led all scorers with 23 points, Pargo added 18 points, and Tyus contributed 13. (Photo: Noam Galai)
By Amy Samin
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv played a strong first half against David Blatt’s Cleveland Cavaliers, led by none other than LeBron James, but in the end were defeated 107-80 by the strong contenders for the next NBA title. Sylven Landesberg continued to demonstrate his skills, leading all scorers with 23 points and pulling down 5 rebounds. Ex-Cav Jeremy Pargo also had a good game with 18 points and 5 assists, while Alex Tyus made a strong showing with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Head coach Guy Goodes’ starting lineup included Pargo, Devin Smith, Guy Pnini, MarQuez Haynes, and Aleks Mari?. Maccabi got off to a great 8-5 start, thanks to three pointers by Pnini and Smith, but the Cavs quickly pulled out a 20-11 lead. Maccabi responded with some smooth plays that put them within two, 22-20, but the Cavs were unfazed, taking a 30-24 lead with a buzzer beater as the period ended.
The Cavs kept up the pace, taking a 36-26 lead in a minute once the second quarter got underway. The difference in the levels of the two teams left a mark, and Cleveland’s lead had grown to 47-30 by the middle of the period. Landesberg scored a triple off an offensive rebound by Nate Linhart that narrowed the gap a bit. The guard added more points from downtown while Tyus delivered two slams, and the deficit went back to single digits. Cleveland’s dominance continued, however, and a three pointer by Kevin Love ended the half with the Cavs leading 59-44.
Cleveland opened strong in the second half, flying to 68-47 in the first three minutes of the third quarter. Pargo and Landesberg scored for Maccabi, but couldn’t make defensive stops against Blatt’s offense, and the hosts ran to 81-54. Linhart scored from the corner and Yogev Ohayon with a bucket and one improved Maccabi’s situation slightly, but the period ended on a dunk by Tristan Thompson that made it 87-60.
In the last quarter, Landesberg, Pargo, and Tyus upped their averages but it was too late to do Maccabi much good, and the Cleveland Cavaliers won the game 107-80.
BOXSCORE
Maccabi: Landesberg 23 points (3 of 4 from 3); Pargo 18 points, 5 assists; Tyus 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks; Smith (5 rebounds) and Pnini 7 points each; Linhart 5 points, 6 rebounds; Ohayon 3 points; Haynes 2 points.
Cavaliers: Irving 16 points; Waiters 15 points; Thompson 14 points; James 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists (in 19 minutes); Harris 10 points; Love 8 points, 11 rebounds (in 22 minutes).
