By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
On a close game from wire to wire, Maccabi got the 89-82 win thanks to a big finish.
With 4 minutes left, ASVEL was up by five (82-77) and the Israelis completed the game with a 12-0 run. The French side on the same span made three turnovers and missed six shots.
Tamir Blatt with 21 points and 12 assists was the top player on the winning side registering a big double-double, while Jordan Loyd and Jaylen Hoard added 15 points each.
“I’m really happy for the guys, it was a team effort. It’s great to play well, and the guys helped me get to my spots. The most important thing is that we got the win, and we’re moving forward from here,” Tamir Blatt said.
For the losing side, Joffrey Lauvergne had 17 points making most of his damage in the first half, Paris Lee added 12, and new-old face Theo Maledon returning from the NBA to his old team scored 11.
Pushing until the end
ASVEL had an early advantage, leading 31-24 after the first period and getting a 36-26 advantage to start the second.
However, at halftime, Maccabi was trailing by one point (52-51) and everything was open. This was even more obvious at the end of the third period with the score tied at 71.
The game would be decided on details and despite building a five-point lead – their biggest in the second half – ASVEL simply couldn’t close the game the right way.
Photo credit: EuroLeague