May 24, 2012
Knicks hold off Maccabi in New York
DOr Fischer – Maccabi ElectraMaccabi Electra Tel Aviv started its brief coast-to-coast tour of the United States with a 106-91 loss on Sunday against the New York Knicks at the famed Madison Square Garden. Maccabi next flies to California to play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday in the second of its two-game US visit to benefit the Migdal Ohr orphanage in Israel. In front of a largely pro-Maccabi crowd, the Israeli champs played well for much of Sunday's game and trailed by just 5 points with 5 minutes left in the second quarter, but a 20-2 New York run broke the game open and gave the hosts a 56-35 halftime lead. Maccabi never gave up and came back to within 14 in the fourth quarter, but could get no closer. Maccabi's biggest problem was outside shooting, as the team went 1 for 14 from the longer NBA three-point line. The Knicks's 14 steals also led to a number of easy fast-break points that undid Maccabi. The game took a strange turn for a friendly exhibition midway through the quarter as Gershon was ejected with a second technical foul for arguing with a referee. A lengthy delay ensued before Gershon went to the locker room.

After the game, Maccabi released the following statement: "The referee whistled a foul on the Knicks player, and despite him cursing at and making a gesture at him, the referee held back, while we had already been called for three technical fouls for much less. Pini pointed this out and for that got a second technical and was ejected. It was poor judgment by the referee, especially in an exhibition game."

Nate Robinson led the New York attack with 19 points, while David Lee posted 14 points and 12 rebounds. Al Harrington and Wilson Chandler also scored 11 apiece for the winners.

Alan Anderson – Maccabi Electra Alan Anderson led the Maccabi attack with 20 points, while D'Or Fischer was strong inside with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Maciej Lampe added 14 points and Chuck Eidson and Doron Perkins scored 11 apiece in defeat.

Maccabi got the start it wanted as Eidson and Lampe scored the game's first two baskets. The Knicks answered back with a run to take the lead, but Eidson scored twice on the break to keep Maccabi close. A Robinson triple took the New York lead to 13-8 before Lampe and Fischer made their presence felt to get Maccabi within 18-14. The teams traded baskets, including a highlight reel slam from Anderson , before the first quarter came to a close with the hosts up 28-22. Doron Perkins further narrowed the gap to 30-27 early in the second period and Anderson had a chance to get it to 1, but missed from the line. However Maccabi soon began to run out of steam and New York took advantage. The duo of Robinson and Lee aided by Al Harrington led the hosts on a 20-2 charge that broke the game open and made it 56-35 by halftime.

The teams traded baskets at the onset of the third quarter, with Robinson shining for the hosts and Guy Pnini finally hitting Maccabi’s first three-pointer. The game took a turn midway through the quarter when Gershon was ejected with a second technical foul after arguing with a referee. A lengthy delay ensued before Gershon was ushered to the locker room. With assistant coach Sharon Drucker taking over, Maccabi continued to play hard and closed the gap to 14 on Anderson free throws early in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as it would get.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Euroleague.net
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