By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Tel Aviv saved the best for last, getting the big 84-68 win over Valencia. The hosts dominated the last period and ended up getting an easy win, despite a big fight for 30 minutes.
Lorenzo Brown with 15 points and six assists led the charge for Maccabi, Darrun Hilliard returned to action and added 11 points, while Bonzie Colson had 10 points.
Wade Baldwin coming off injury added nine points with coach Oded Kattasd explaining: “We forced 21 turnovers, which won the game for us. We tried not to risk Wade Baldwin, and I hope [his injury] is not that serious. He felt something in his hamstring, which is what happened a week ago, but I hope it’s not serious. We need him.”
Valencia trailed by six (53-47) entering the last period, however, the hosts with Brown scoring five of his points got a 65-56 lead and then continued with an 8-2 run (73-58) to seal the deal.
Hilliard addressed his return to action after being punished by the club: “I think we’ve been playing better defense, playing together better and it’s a really good win. I’m feeling blessed. It’s not easy to play this game at a high level all the time. A lot of distractions, a lot of outside noise, but I’m happy we got the win”.
Xabi Lopez-Arostegui with 15 points and Victor Claver with 13 were the top scorers of the losing side with Valencia not being able to get the lead or tie the game after the first quarter.
As Valencia coach Alex Mumbru admitted: “It was a very tough game both defensively and offensively. We got back into the game with a good third quarter, but at the start of the fourth quarter they made some three-pointers to take advantage and it was impossible for us to come back. We are missing some players and we need to adapt.”
It was a fitting game for the night that Maccabi great Nikola Vujcic was named officially a EuroLeague legend. The Israeli club has now a solid 6-6 record, while Valencia is just behind them at 5-7.