The yellows’ valiant effort was not enough as they drop to a 12:14 record in the standings. Black’s tremendous performance was not enough. On Wednesday the quest for the playoffs continues as Maccabi will host Zalgiris
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Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv wanted to continue its terrific run against the EuroLeague’s fourth ranked team Anadolu Efes. The yellows started the game incredibly as they imposed their will in the first quarter. The visitors got into the rhythm as they managed to complete the comeback in the third quarter but Black made sure it’ll all go down to the wire making it a tie after three quarters. Anadolu were more focused in the final period as they took the lead and eventually the 71:79 away win.
Coach Sfairopoulos’ starting five: Black, O’Bryant, Caloiaro, Kane
and Wilbekin. Tarik ended an early scoring drought with a thunderous dunk to spark the offense in yellow and blue (8:2). Larkin and Beaubois scored to keep Anadolu close to Maccabi with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter (10:9). Black and Dunston traded blows with Tarik capitalizing leading Maccabi to an 18:13 lead as the first quarter came to an end.Motum was the first to score in the second quarter but John-Di reacted with back to back threes to put Maccabi ahead 24:17. Both sides showcased their arsenal but again it was Maccabi who were able to capitalize
enroute of 31:22 lead. Micic and Balbay completed a 5:0 run forcing coach Sfairopoulos to call for a timeout (33:30). Johnny stepped into the game and immediately made his presence felt scoring five points to keep Maccabi ahead 38:32. Coach Sfairopoulos called for a second timeout after Beaubois scored from deep to bring the visitors close to Maccabi (38:37). Maccabi’s stagger was executed to perfection with Scottie knocking down the three pointer but the visitors were the ones to have the final say in the first half (41:39).Caloiaro and Johnny completed a 5:0 run for the
yellows who took the 43:39 lead at the beginning of the third quarter, the visitors reacted with Dunston and Moerman to stay close to Maccabi (48:45). Micic’s reverse layup sparked an 8:0 run for Anadolu to complete the comeback forcing coach Sfairopoulos to call for a timeout (48:53). Micic scored but Roll and Black ended the third quarter in style to tie the game as the third quarter comes to an end (58:58).Both sides started the fourth quarter trading blows with the visitors having the upper hand taking the 62:66 lead. Larkin went on a scoring frenzy to put his team ahead 62:71 forcing coach
Sfairopuolos to call for a timeout. The yellows tried to get back into the game with Tyus and Johnny, the visitors reacted time and again but Tarik kept Maccabi alive (71:77) with just over two minutes remaining in the game. With both teams struggling to score it was Micic who kept his composure from the free throw line to secure the 71:79 away win.
