It has been four years since Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv suffered a home defeat in the Premier League. In December 2000 they lost to Elitsur Kiryat Ata 83-85. Tonight it happened again, 97-105 vs Maccabi SK Rishon Letsion.
Maccabi played without Anthony Parker, who was the foreigner to be left out and the injured Yaniv Green. But this did not prevent them from leading 59-48 at half time mainly to a great finish by Yotam Halperin.
Five minutes into the third period the lead was 72-52 and the only question was by how much the Euroleague champions will win. But then the game turned completely. Poor shooting and a series of turnovers enabled Rishon, superbly led by Malik Dixon, to reduce the gap to 78-68 at the end of the third.
The visitors opened the final period with a 17-2 run, took a 85-80 lead and never looked back. With 31 seconds left Shelef made it 100-97 for Rishon. Derrick Sharp, the best of the Maccbabi players, tried a three pointer which missed, Dixon from the line ands Lifshits, with a shot from the half way line, completed a great win for the visitors who won the final period 37-19.
Maccabbi tried 30 three pointers and made only 10. They made only 43% in FG and had 21 turnovers. Rishon had 57% FG and 82% in FT. Dixon scored 34 pts made in 85% FG, 86% FT and added 9 assists.