Unhappy return for Blatt

Nov 8, 2007 - 10:45 PM By PA SportsTicker

Efes Pilsen coach David Blatt's return to Maccabi Tel Aviv ended in defeat as his side lost, 73-67, on Thursday in the EuroLeague.

Blatt, who coached the Israeli side before going on to lead Russia to Eurobasket gold, saw his side throw away a five-point lead in the fourth quarter as Maccabi finished strongly.

Maccabi led 36-35 after a close first half but Efes enjoyed a good third period to move ahead 55-50, before Maccabi found their range to run-out winners.

Andre Hutson was the game-high scorer with 21 points, as well as six rebounds, for Efes, while Esteban Batista led the home side's scoring with 14 points.

Maccabi go 2-1, with Efes struggling in Group B with a 1-2 record.

Tau Ceramica beat Prokom Trefl 82-66 in Poland to go 2-1, while Prokom slipped to 0-3 after a second home loss.

Pablo Prigioni and Igor Rakocevic top scored for Tau with 15 points each.

Thomas Van den Spiegel contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds in Prokom's losing cause. Barcelona beat Chorale Roanne 82-76 in Group C and are now 2-1.

Mario Kasun led the scoring for Barcelona with 22 points and Jaka Lakovic added 16. Marc Salyers was Chorale's top scorer with 21 points and nine rebounds.

Unicaja won 74-65 against Armani Jeans Milano, thanks largely to a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter.

Milano were 55-53 ahead early in the final period before Unicaja struck to take their record to 2-1 and leave the Italians without a win.

Daniel Santiago, Carlos Cabezas and German Gabriel all reached double figures for the visitors, while teenager Danilo Gallinari, who led the scoring with 18 points, was unlucky to be on the losing side.

Elsewhere, Olympiacos thrashed Virtus Vidivici Bologna 104-76 thanks to 24 points each for Marc Jackson and Arvydas Macijauskas, while Qyntel Woods added 23.

Olympiacos were 22-11 ahead after the first quarter and the Italian side never got back in the game.

The Greek side are now 2-1 in Group A while the visitors slip to 1-2.