By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Never trailing by a margin larger than three points, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv got the job done versus EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Thursday.
The Yellows were already placed seventh on the final standings of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season but went up to 20-14 with a 92-86 victory in Stark Arena.
Adding to league-highs in offensive rebounds and steals, the team guided by Oded Kattash grabbed 13 of their 40 boards to create additional scoring opportunities and registered seven steals in a winning display.
Tallying at least ten points for a 19th EuroLeague showing in a row, Wade Baldwin IV finished with a game-high 18 points behind 4/12 field goals. “I am pleased that we had a 20-win season. It is back-to-back seasons for this club,” reacted the former Vanderbilt standout and March MVP to the conclusion of his second Regular Season in Europe’s premier club continental competition with Maccabi.
The EuroLeague leader in rebounds, Josh Nebo chipped in 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, including five offensive rebounds. “It is a big game next week. It is a must-win. Making the Playoffs is very important for us. We need to get rest, get mentally and physically ready for the first game of the Play-In,” the native of Houston moved on to the next challenge.
Captain John DiBartolomeo missed the trip to Belgrade due to a shoulder injury during Round 17 of Israel’s Ligat Winner Regular Season. Despite the setback, a narrow home win against Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona improved a league-high record to 19-3 on Tuesday. Next for the reigning Israel champions is Hapoel Holon in Menorah Mivtachim Arena on Saturday.
Knockout blow in Istanbul
Eliminated from the Play-Ins since Anadolu Efes clinched the last remaining berth earlier, Ettore Messina’s side wrapped up the EuroLeague season at 15-19 and a disappointing 3-14 record on the road. Maodo Lo had a team-high 13 points with 4/4 from the field, including 3/3 from beyond the arc in Serbia. Former Maccabi player Alex Poythress combined 11 points with nine rebounds.
“I think it was not easy for my players to keep competing. And they did, even after we knew what was happening in the game in Istanbul,” Messina praised the team effort despite falling out of contention for a second opportunity to reach the Playoffs.
“It was different,” added winning head coach Kattash describing the entertaining but anticlimactic Round 34 affair, “Both teams had almost nothing to lose. A high-scoring game, high tempo, more offense and less defense.”
Defending the domestic league championship remained for Le Scarpette Rosse. At 18-8 in Italy’s LBA UnipolSai, an away game versus NutriBullet Treviso is up next on Sunday. Concluding the continental campaign, Billy Baron (right elbow surgery) and Devon Hall (left ankle) were sidelined along with ineligible Denzel Valentine and healthy scratch Guglielmo Caruso.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net