By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv leading by a comfortable margin for the majority of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague opener was a treat for the fans packing Menora Mivtachim Arena on Thursday.
Overcoming the absence of Wade Baldwin IV (back), the Israeli powerhouse blew out Partizan Mozzart Bet, 96-81, in Round 1 of the EuroLeague Regular Season.
Lorenzo Brown scored 22 points behind 9/12 field goals and also dished out eight of his side’s 31 assists. “We just focused on what the gameplan was defensively and offensively, moving the ball and trying to stop the right guys,” noted the 33-year-old floor general.
With Brown scoreless after the break, Josh Nebo and Roman Sorkin taking over, mainly inside the paint, ended up with 14 points apiece. Jasiel Rivero recorded ten of his 11 points in the second half. Bonzie Colson fired in 12 points. Tamir Blatt shared the game-high eight assists, besides adding eight points.
“We try to take it one game at a time,” explained Nebo, “Obviously, we will try to achieve the highest goals, making it to the Final Four and winning everything. It is a long season. We got to take it one game at a time.”
“Obviously, we have a lot of things to improve,” added Oded Kattash after guiding Maccabi to a 1-0 start.
Aleksa Avramovic tucked 20 points of his 24 points in the first half to set a new individual record in Europe’s premier club continental competition. Slowing down the 28-year-old guard allowed the hosts to stretch separation by over 20 points in the fourth quarter. P.J. Dozier had 11 points in his EuroLeague debut and Kevin Punter made 11 more points.
Kattash versus Obradovic, next challenges
“Maccabi played very very well. Defensively, they were very good,” was the reaction of Zeljko Obradovic.
“It is an honor to play against him,” said his former player and winning play-caller Kattash.
Moving on to upcoming challenges, the Yellows will visit EA7 Emporio Armani Milan next week, after opening Israel’s Winner League Regular Season opposite Ironi Kiryat Lati Ata on Sunday. The Belgrade outfit will be seeking a 2-0 start in AdmiralBet ABA League with an away game versus Krka on Sunday and travel to France to meet LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Thursday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net