Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv has taken a 1-0 lead in the playoff final series with a stunning 109-74 win over Hapoel Samsung Tel Aviv.
Maccabiws defense was the key to this win in spite of the problems caused by the officials. With only 2:30 min gone, Maccabi was already sanctioned with its fourth foul. Vujcic received his third after seven minutes & Baston right at the start of the second quarter.
Hapoel were in the game only in the first period (24-22 for Maccabi). The second was a one sided affair with Maccabi winning 36-13 and at half time Maccabi had a 60-35 lead. The highest margin, 39 pts, was recorded at the atart of the final period (92-53) and eventually a 35 points win.
Maccabi was superior in all categories: 64-41 in FG%, 82-68 in FT%, 37-24 in rebounds, 25-11 in assists and 151-65 in team evaluation.
Anthony Parker, who was elected MVP of the Premier League, gave another all around performance: 13 pts, 9 rbds, 6 ass, 3 stls & 1 blocked shot. Saras led all scorers with 20 pts & 8 assists.