Maccabi Tel Aviv secure fifth place in the standings behind Nunnally's 19-point performance / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Seffi Magriso/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Seffi Magriso/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

In the final game of the regular season, Maccabi Tel Aviv (17-11) defeated Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (10-18) and secured the fifth spot in the EuroLeague standings. The Israeli side won with the final score of 85-76 (21-21, 24-22, 21-19, 19-14) and will now face Real Madrid in the playoffs.

Player of the Game EFF 25 James Nunnally Points 19 Accuracy 6-8 Rebounds 7 Assists 2

Maccabi Tel Aviv entered the last two minutes with an eight-point lead (83-75) and Fenerbahce didn't have enough resources to try to get back into the game.

Fenerbahce began the fourth quarter on a high note. Ismet Akpinar made two important three-pointers to tie the game at 69. Maccabi Tel Aviv, though, fought back. Keenan Evans found a good moment to make his first three-pointer of the night and on the following offensive play, he drove to the basket, creating an easy chance for Ante Zizic to grab the offensive rebound and score the basket (78-75).

Derrick Williams and Scottie Wilbekin with two three-pointers in a row gave Maccabi Tel Aviv a 7-point lead (60-53) and the Israeli team continued to play impressive defense, forcing Fenerbahce to multiple turnovers in the quarter. Achille Polonara had 5 points in the row in the final minute of the period to reduce Fener's deficit to just 4 points (62-66).

The game got more intense in the third quarter. Jalen Reynolds fouled out with more than half of the third quarter remaining on the clock after committing his fourth foul and immediately after getting into a little confrontation with Jehyve Floyd and receiving a technical foul.

James Nunnally returned to the court in the second quarter and he was definitely ready to go. He shot 3/4 from outside and had 12 points which were crucial in leading Fenerbahce to the halftime lead (45-43). Fenerbahce remained close, with Booker and Duveriouglu both finishing with 10 points apiece. Pierria Henry had 7 assists in the first half but he also had 5 turnovers, not always looking in control.

Devin Booker was perfect from the field in the first quarter, finishing with 8 points and 4/4 from 2 points. Maccabi lost James Nunnally after just a couple of minutes due to a right leg injury after a collision with Dysahwn Pierre. The first quarter was entertaining and the two teams ended up tied at 21.

For Maccabi Tel Aviv, the top scorer was James Nunnally with 19 points (2/3 2PT, 4/6 3PT, 3/3 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 25 PIR.

For Fenerbahce, on the other hand, the top scorer was Devin Booker with 14 points (6/6 2PT, 0/1 3PT, 2/2 FT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 14 PIR.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: James Nunnally 19 (7 REB), Ante Zizic 16 (7 REB), Scottie Wilbekin 14 (6 AST), Derrick Williams 10

Fenerbahce: Devin Booker 14, Ahmet Duveriouglu 12, Ismet Akpinar 10

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