Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv recorded its 8th Premier League win of the season 97-82 over Ironi Strauss Nahariya but secured it only in final period.
After their superb win over Barcelona, Maccabi played in second gear and the Nahariya players exploited to take a 13-6 lead. Maccabi reacted with a 15-0 run and at the end of the first quarter led 27-24.
They increased it to 34-24 but then Tal Burstein had to leave the court with an eye injury. Nahariya came back again to lead 42-41 but at the half Pini Gershon’s team were 54-49 up.
Saras, who was benched in the third minute, started the second half and Maccabi opened a 60-51 lead. But the team fromthe north refused to give up and after a 14-4 run led 66-65. Once more Maccabi reacted immediatly and at the end of the third led 73-68. Maccabi took complete control in the final period (24-14) mainly to Saras & Kommatos and eventualy won by 15 points.
Maccabi had a great advantage in FG% – 64 to 46. In most other categories things sere even.