Wilbekin, Nunnally push Maccabi past Ness Ziona / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (12-7) defeated Ness Ziona (9-10) 93-89 (33-25, 18-21, 27-24, 15-19), and climbed to 3rd place in the Winner League standings.

2-pointers this season

54%20,4Points made:20,4Accuracy:54,0%Place in standings:4Record max:27Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Ante ZizicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Led by the Scottie Wilbekin-James Nunnally duo, who scored 23 points apiece, Maccabi got the most out of their offensive prowess.

The team coached by Avi Even played without Jaylen Reynolds, Kyrie Thomas and Angelo Caloiaro, who were off the roster.

After the hosts got a 33-25 lead in the first quarter, they continued to increase their advantage, with Jake Cohen and Yiftah Ziv finishing off quick bursts to make it 39-27.

Maccabi's offense kept ticking over early in the third quarter, with two more dunks by Ane Zizic and three-pointers by Nunnally and Wilbekin (63-51). Wilbekin kept making shots from beyond the arc, but the visitors threatened a turnaround when they narrowed the gap to just 3 points early in the final quarter.

But Maccabi's response came through two consecutive three-pointers by Derrick Williams.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Scottie Wilbekin 23 (8/13 FG, 1/1 FT, 9 AST), James Nunnally 23 (6/13 FG, 7/7 FT, 6 REB, 4 AST), Derrick Williams 15 (5/9 FG, 2/2 FT, 7 REB), Ante Zizic 13 (5/6 FG, 3/4 FT, 5 REB).

Ironi Ness Ziona: Diante Garrett 22 (10/17 FG, 5 REB, 3 ST, 4 AST), Tim Soares 18 (7/15 FG, 3/3 FT, 4 REB), Simisola Shittu 12 (4/6 FG, 4/9 FT, 8 REB, 2 ST, 2 TO, 2 AST), Frank Bartley 11, Golan Gutt 11 (7 REB). Lior Carreira 10 (4/7 FG).

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