By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Valencia stays unbeaten in the 2023-24 EuroLeague by downing Maccabi Tel Aviv 75 – 66 at home behind a strong defensive performance and an important 14-0 run in the third period. The Yellows dropped to 1-1 (one game less).
Damien Inglis (11 points), Victor Claver (10 points, seven rebounds) and Brandon Davies (10 points) scored in double figures for Valencia and delivered the last 14 points of their team in the game, over the final 3:44 minutes. Stefan Jovic contributed seven points and six assists.
“Summer was good for me to come back with good confidence,” Claver said, regarding his World Cup run with Spain. “I got more acquainted with the coach and what he wants from me. Trying to understand what he wants and trying to be a leader for my teammates on the floor. But everybody is involved.”
Tamir Blatt made it 67 – 64 with 1:47 to play for Maccabi for a comeback from down 61 – 51 that Valencia had grabbed by scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. Davies and Inglis then combined for a 6-0 run. giving Valencia a decisive 73 – 64 advantage in the last minute.
“We’re in the beginning,” Valencia coach Alex Mumbru said. “It’s a long season and we have to keep calm, keep working and continue like this. “Efes is a great team with great players,” he added regarding his team’s next game Friday (20/11). “It’s going to be difficult to win there.”
Bonzie Colson scored 20 points and Lorenzo Brown had 13 points, 11 assists but also seven turnovers for a Maccabi team that’s still without key contributor Wade Baldwin. The players of the Yellows were wearing black jerseys and their warmup shirts had a message that said “Bring Them Home Now,” referring to the 200 Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
“You all could see that even though we tried our best to find our energy and focus on the game and fight, in some situations in life, basketball comes second. Even for us that live in basketball,” Maccabi coach Oded Kattash said. “We couldn’t find the energy. I’m taking about myself, staff, players everyone. You could see that on the court.”