Amar'e Stoudemire brought so much attention when he retired from the NBA and moved to Israel. Little that they know, he also brought his vintage Amar'e that's almost impossible to stop.
The 34-year old center scored 24 points in a very efficient shooting night and grabbed six boards as the Hapoel Jerusalem cruised past Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, 74-63 at Pais Arena in Jerusalem based on reports from Eurohoops.
Winner League website also wrote that Maccabi started strong to start the game, led by Andrew Goudelock's pair of consecutive three-pointers to give his team their first double-digit lead , 23-12. The former Los Angeles draftee in 2011 finished the game with 13 markers built around three triples, dished four dimes and one rebound in 30 minutes of action.
After trailing at the half by three, 32-29, Stoudemire picked his third foul early in the third but tables started to turn as the 9th pick of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns started to find his groove on offense.
The six-time NBA All-Star and co-owner of his team carried Jerusalem on his back converted on a field goal to give his team the advantage, 50-49 before sealing the third quarter before heading to the final chapter with a five-point cushion.
Stoudemire finished with a near-perfect 10-of-13 FGs in 25 minutes and Curtis Jerrells provided an all-round support. Undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, the 6-foot-1 guard added 20 points, eight rebounds, scattered five assists and two steals in 38 minutes.
Veteran Guy Pnini spearheaded Maccabi's offense, finishing with 17 points, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc with three rebounds. Itai Segev made a count of himself in his debut after a long lay-off, wounding up with six points and team-high seven boards for the visiting team.
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