By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Restoring a double-digit advantage late in the fourth quarter, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv ruined the evening for the crowd in BMW Park.
Defeating FC Bayern Munich, 89-74, made it 13 consecutive wins across all competitions on Friday.
The Yellows secured at least tenth place in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings and participation in the Play-Ins but will be looking for more in the last three games of the Regular Season.
After being named MVP of Round 30, Wade Baldwin IV overcame a slow start against his former team and scored seven of his 15 points over the last ten minutes of the Round 31 contest. The Vanderbilt alum went into double-digits for a 16th straight continental showing. “It was an ugly 15, but I was able to make some plays down the stretch that were big,” he commented.
Missing out on tucking in at least one three-pointer after such success in 13 games in a row, Lorenzo Brown threw in six of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. The 33-year-old floor general also dished out five assists.
The EuroLeague leader in rebounds, Josh Nebo added seven more boards to his tally, including four offensive rebounds, besides dropping five of his ten points in the fourth period. “Every win is very important for the playoff race,” underlined the 26-year-old big.
“They made the run and we showed character again through our defense,” noted play-caller Oded Kattash after securing a fifth win in a row and improving the overall record to 18-13, “I am very happy for the win.”
Jasiel Rivero registered a team-high 17 points for the champions of Israel. Coming off the bench, James Webb III had 12 points behind an 11-point display in the second quarter. Roman Sorkin (left knee) remained on the injury list.
A new personal best in the EuroLeague for Leandro Bolmaro with 21 points was not enough for his side to avoid the drop to 13-18 and further outside the Play-In zone. Serge Ibaka followed with 14 points. Andreas Obst (thigh), Danko Brankovic (ankle), and Devin Booker (ankle) were unavailable for head coach Pablo Laso.
“They are good at taking advantage of your mistakes,” the head coach of the BBL-Pokal champions described Maccabi and the reason behind a sixth loss over 15 home games in the 2023-24 campaign, “Mistakes killed us in the first half. Mistakes killed us in the last quarter.”
Barcelona is coming to town
Bouncing back in Germany’s easyCredit BBL Regular Season, the Munich outfit hopes to jump to 20-4 by defeating Veolia Towers Hamburg on Sunday. In Europe’s premier club continental competitions, a home challenge versus FC Barcelona is scheduled on Thursday.
Seeking to improve the domestic record to 15-3, the Yellows face Ironi Kiryat Lati Ata in Remez on Sunday, before playing against Valencia in Round 32 of the EuroLeague Regular Season on Wednesday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net