Cleveland Cavaliers beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 107-80

The reigning Euroleague Basketball Alexander Gomelskiy Coach of the Year David Blatt continued to reel off victories over some of Europe’s finest clubs even in his new job. Blatt’s Cleveland Cavaliers defeated his former team , Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, 107-80 at Quicken Loans Arena in the first game of the 2014 Euroleague Basketball US Tour. The game was the hottest ticket in town between it being a rare chance for Maccabi’s fans in the region to see their club in person and the first game of Cavs’ superstar LeBron James since returning to the team over the summer. A handful of former Euroleague players that Blatt coached, including two-time Euroleague MVP Anthony Parker, Kelly McCarty and Andrew Kennedy were also on hand for the game. Maccabi kept it close through the first quarter through some good outside shooting from Sylven Landesberg and co., but the hosts made a run in the second to build a double-digit lead and continued to pull away. Cleveland’s size proved to be a problem for Maccabi as the hosts outrebounded the visitors 64-36, including 22-8 on the offensive glass. James marked his return with 12 points and 4 assists in 20 minutes. Kyrie Irving led the winners with 16 points, Dion Waiters added 15, Tristan Thompson totaled 14 points and 13 rebounds and Joe Harris scored 10 off the bench. Former Euroleague champ Anderson Varejao hauled in 15 rebounds. Sylven Landesberg paced Maccabi with 23 points, Jeremy Pargo had 18 points and 5 assists and Alex Tyus compiled 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Maccabi travels next to New York to face the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday in the final leg of the tour. Before coming to America, the Israeli champs had also been to Brazil to represent the Euroleague in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.