By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Resuming Turkish Airlines EuroLeague action following the international break, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv strolled past ALBA Berlin in Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Behind an astonishing 33/40 two-pointers, the Yellows dominated across the board en route to a win, 106-71, in Round 27 of the Regular Season.
With seven games remaining in the double-legged round-robin schedule, the team coached by Israel Gonzalez was officially eliminated from the Playoffs.
Setting the pace with 12 points in the first quarter, Bonzie Colson finished with 14 points. Adding to a big lead with 11 points in the third period, Wade Baldwin IV went for 16 points behind 5/6 field goals, besides five assists, two rebounds, and two steals over 21 minutes.
“It is what we do. We are one of the best offensive teams in the league. Our issue has been how we defend the ball,” the 27-year-old guard, a Vanderbilt product, reacted to the brilliant offensive display in the capital of Germany.
With 7/8 field goals, James Webb III recorded a game-high 17 points. The league leader in offensive rebounds, Josh Nebo grabbed one more in a 15-point showing. Lorenzo Brown piled up ten points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal.
A fifth win in a row since 2021 against the German club lifted the team guided by Oded Kattash to 14-13. Three straight losses before the break reduced the Israel champions to the bottom end of the Play-In zone. “We have a very tough March,” noted Baldwin, “It is important to string along a good month to get ourselves in a good playoff position.”
“I liked the way we competed,” recapped Kattash, “In every game until the end of the season, if we want to make the Playoffs, we have to play like this, especially defensively.”
Standing out for ALBA, Johannes Thiemann scored 14 points and pulled down five rebounds. Down to 4-10 at home and on a four-game losing streak, the overall record is 5-22 and at the bottom of the standings.
“Our defense was very bad,” head coach Gonzalez pointed to the worst part of a poor team effort, “We need to improve because today we were terrible.”
A new face in Joe Thomasson
Shortly following his international debut with Georgia and two appearances in the 2025 EuroBasket Qualifiers, Joe Thomasson logged his first appearance in the EuroLeague. Checking in during the fourth quarter, he drew two rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. The Dayton native penned a contract for the remainder of the 2023-24 season on February 7.
Besides Roman Sorkin (knee), the remaining players were available for Maccabi. After the death of his grandmother and flying to the United States, captain John DiBartolomeo returned to action with five points in 12 minutes.
Limiting options in the paint for the Albatrosse, Khalifa Koumadje was ruled out with a bruised hand. He sat out alongside Kresimir Nikic, Elias Rapieque, and Ziga Samar.
Upcoming challenges
Ranking third in Germany’s easyCredit BBL with a 13-5 W-L tally, the Berlin outfit entertains EWE Baskets Oldenburg on Sunday. Resuming the continental campaigns sets up a trip to Baskonia next Friday.
Following a domestic meeting with Hapoel Yossi Avrahami Eilat and looking to go up to 12-3 in Israel’s Ligat Winner on Monday, the Yellows battle Zalgiris in Belgrade on Thursday.
“Zalgiris is a great team. They were playing well before the break,” top scorer Webb previewed the Round 28 fixture, “We got to go out and play like we did tonight. Offensive and defensively.”
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net