Three minutes and 15 seconds from regulation, Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv held a 75-64 lead after a three pointer by Will Solomon. None of the 10,500 spectators expected that he will still be there 30 minutes later. But a series of turnovers and some poor shooting, enabled Armani Jeans Milano to score 11 pts with no reply and force an overtime (75-75). The visitors then took a 79-75 lead, Maccabi came back with another Solomon`s three pointer (81-79). Blair & Bulleri made it 83-81 but Tal Burstein forced a second overtime.
Jamie Arnold put Maccabi 91-90 up. Galanda fouled out but Solomon was called for an offensive foul and Calabia made the two points (92-91 for Milano). Nikola Vujcic put Maccabi in front 93-92 but with 9 seconds to go Vouktsevic made a three pointer (95-93). But then came Solomon.
Maccabi held a 20-15 lead at the end of the first period but at half tome the visitors were 40-35 up. Vujcic. who scored only 4 pts in the first half, put up an incredible performance in the third period with 16 pts, including 3 three pointers. Maccabi ran 25-8, led 59-48 and at the end of the period 64-55. Three minutes into the final quarter, Maccabi lost captain Derrick Sharp (fouled out) and also the lead.
Maccabi had a poor shooting night with only 48% for 2 pts and 56% in FT. They were more successful in three pointers with 46% (13-28). The Italians had 421 attempts for
three pts and made 16 (39%). Maccabi had 20 turnovers but also 20 assists & 20 steals.
Nikola Vujcic was Maccabi`s top player with 26 pts (4-5 for three but only 4-9 in FT), 9 rbds &6 assists. Sharp scored 20 pts (5-10 for three). A dissappointing game for Parker with 8 pts in 38% FG in 49 minutes and also for Tal Burstein with 4 pts in 32 minutes.