Yellow-and-blue dominates Netanya in playoff opener

Maccabi Tel Aviv takes 1-0 lead in BSL quarterfinal playoff series.

By ALLON SINAI
lior eliyahu maccabi tel aviv_311 (photo credit: Adi Avishai)
lior eliyahu maccabi tel aviv_311
(photo credit: Adi Avishai)
Maccabi Tel Aviv took a 1-0 lead in its BSL quarterfinal playoff series against Barak Netanya on Tuesday night, winning 94- 72 at Nokia Arena.
Netanya got off to a flying start leading 28-15 at one stage.
However, Tel Aviv, which ended the regular season with a 26-1 record, closed to within one point (46-45) by the break and outscored the visitors 24-8 in the final 10 minutes to claim another easy local win.
“By the time we woke out we were in a hole, but I think that we have a mature team which knows how to lift itself and win games,” said Maccabi coach David Blatt, whose team visits Netanya in the best-of-five series on Saturday in its final game before its Euroleague Final Four semifinal against Real Madrid next Friday.
Chuck Eidson led six Maccabi players in double-figures with 20 points, with Richard Hendrix adding 14 points and 11 boards.
Adrian Banks had 28 points for Netanya, which gave Maccabi a fight for three periods before collapsing in the final frame.
Reigning-champion Hapoel Gilboa/Galil will begin its playoff series on Wednesday when it hosts Hapoel Holon.
On Thursday, Bnei Hasharon welcomes Maccabi Rishon Lezion and Hapoel Jerusalem hosts Maccabi Ashdod at Malha Arena, while Maccabi Haifa faces Ironi Ashkelon in the relegation playoffs.