Strong second quarter for Maccabi leaves Zalgiris winless / News - Basketnews.com

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

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (4-2) hosted Zalgiris Kaunas (0-6) at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, leaving Zalgiris winless 76-62 (16-20, 23-10, 19-16, 18-16).

Player of the Game EFF 23 Derrick Williams Points 17 Accuracy 6-10 Rebounds 7 Assists 1

Ante Zizic and Maccabi started the game hot, gaining a commanding 14-2 advantage. However, 11 straight points by Arturas Milaknis helped Zalgiris respond with an impressive 12-0 run of their own to gain a two-point advantage (16-14).

But Maccabi went on another 8-0 spurt in the second quarter, gaining a 32-24 lead. They only allowed Zalgiris to score 10 points in the second period, gaining a nine-point going into the half (39-30).

James Nunnally gave Maccabi a 14-point advantage in the third (51-37). The hosts' lead increased to 17 in the final period (72-55), and Zalgiris were forced to swallow their sixth straight loss, losing by 14.

"I am not so disappointed," Jure Zdovc said. "We have our problems, obviously. We miss a lot of players, we are not in a rhythm. But we showed character in some moments. If we believe in this and keep going, we will find a way to our first win."

Derrick Williams was spectacular for Maccabi, ending with 17 points (4/8 2PT, 2/2 3PT, 3/3 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 23 PIR.

Josh Nebo was the bright spot for Zalgiris, finishing with 10 points (4/7 2PT, 2/2 FT), 9 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, and 16 PIR.

Maccabi: Derrick Williams 17 (7 REB), James Nunnally 15, Ante Zizic 14 (9 REB), Keenan Evans 13, Jalen Reynolds 7 (8 REB).

Zalgiris: Arturas Milaknis 17, Josh Nebo 10 (9 REB), Niels Giffey 9 (5 REB), Lukas Lekavicius 6 (5 AST), Mantas Kalnietis 6.

Highlights

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