Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv kept with tradition and captured its fifth win in a row over Montepaschi Siena, 93-88. But asin the previous games, it was a hard earned win.
A three points display of the Italians (10-14) in the first half, enabled Carlo Recalcati team to open an 18 points lead (42-24) with just over three minutes to the end of the second quarter. Maccabi reduced the par to only 10 at the half (49-39).
The Yelllows made it only 6 pts down (55-49) when Montepaschi lost its best player Bootsy Thornton (16 pts in the first half and 5-8 for three) with an ankle injury. Siena led 61-52. Then Maccabi took over and Saras gave Maccabi its first lead since the first period, 71-70. The score at the end of the third was 73-71 for the visitors.
The final period was exciting. David Vanterpool made it 79-77 for Siena. Then came Tal Burstein with 9 consecutive points including two 3 pointers. Parker added two more from the line and Maccabi took a commanding lead 88-79 and made sure of victory.
The spectators elected Maceo Baston as MVP with 19 pts and 9 rbds.