By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nando De Colo and LDLC ASVEL had a strong start but not much else. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv got things under control and cruised to the final 88-69 win on the way to a 3-1 record.
Lorenzo Brown with 17 points and six assists was the first among equals, as Wade Baldwin added 12 points and seven assists, Josh Nebo also had 12 points and Bonzi Colson had 13 for Maccabi on a night that ended up being a triumph for the hosts.
“We are just connecting out there”, said Brown, “we try to find us as a unit, moving the ball and getting everybody involved per usual. And that worked for us tonight”.
ASVEL started the game well, leading by six (21-15) at the end of the first and by 13 (32-19) a bit later, but Maccabi had a one-point advantage (42-41) at halftime and led by 16 (68-52) at the end of the third with Brown having already 17 points.
“Like in the last game against Monaco, we picked up things on defense, we were more focused and that allowed us to control the rebounds, get some steals and run”, explained Maccabi coach Oded Kattash.
An impressive open-court dunk by Josh Nebo pushed the point difference to 20 (72-52) as Maccabi finished the game early in the fourth quarter. For the record, Maccabi pushed the lead even to 21 points (83-62).
De Colo finished the game with 15 points, Youssoupha Fall added one more double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Retin Obasohan had 11 and ASVEL has to settle for a 1-3 record.
Τhe really bad news for ASVEL is that Joffrey Lauvergne left the game injured and it remains to be seen how many time he will be out of action.
Photo credit: EuroLeague