Keenan Evans stands out as Maccabi crush Haifa in Winner League opener / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Maccabi Tel Aviv BC Credit Maccabi Tel Aviv BC

Great defense and excellent team game gave Maccabi Tel Aviv a blowout domestic win against Hapoel Haifa 84-59 (23-19, 18-7, 21-11, 22-22) for the Israeli Winner League.

Maccabi Tel Aviv / Schedule

Maccabi Tel Aviv Crvena Zvezda Belgrade63-75 AX Armani Exchange Milan Maccabi Tel AvivTue18:30 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne Maccabi Tel AvivThu18:00

After a tight first quarter, Yannis Sfairopoulos's team shifted gears on defense, allowing just 10 points in the next 15 minutes. Thus, the hosts were able to build a significant lead that only grew larger throughout the second half.

48 hours after a frustrating loss to Red Star Belgrade and just before a week of two tough games in the EuroLeague, the Yellow and Blue showed absolute dominance. Sfairopoulos split the minutes and brought in Cameron Taylor and Keenan Evans, who torched his former team with 14 points.

John DiBartolomeo brought momentum and enthusiasm from the bench as usual and his two important three-pointers at the end of the first half were responsible for Maccabi's 15-point lead at halftime.

Scottie Wilbekin was left to only 3 points (1/5 from three-point range) in 16 minutes of play, but that didn't hurt the EuroLeague squad one bit. Reynolds, Ziv and Williams stepped in and did the job for the Israeli powerhouse.

Kadeem Allen led all scorers with 17 points, plus 5 assists and 5 turnovers. Alas, he was the visitors' only player in double digits.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Evans 14 (3 ass.), Reynolds 12 (3/12 FGs), Ziv 12 (5/8 FGs), DiBartolomeo 11 (3/3 FGs), Williams 11.

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