Only two days after the disappointing loss to Olympiacos, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to the winning track when they defeated Basconia 82:91 tonight (Thursday) and improved their balance to 11: 9.
Unlike the loss to the Greeks, the players of Yannis Sapropoulos who showed priority in almost all stages of the game, this time retained the advantage in the important minutes and despite the stubborn Basques’ comeback attempts, completed a double season victory over the rival in direct encounters, a victory that may prove critical.
Thanks to the excellent Elijah Bryant, Othello Hunter and Yuval Sussman (doubled his seasonal points), the team in yellow managed even on a particularly weak evening of star Scotty Wilbkin.
Next week, Real Madrid will arrive in Israel, and in front of it, Maccabi Tel Aviv will have to provide a much better display in order to come out with a victory that will atone a little for the losses to the intermediate teams.
the progress of the game
Quarter 1: The visitors started the game better and went up to a fast 6, Sussman scored a three and put the Yellows on the board. Bryant’s basket equalized at 11:11, and a successful Dibertolomeo shot from outside the arc gave the Yellows their first advantage – 13:14. Cloiaro’s Burst Basket Set Quarter – 21:26 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Quarter 2: The quarter opened with a basket by Oz Blazer that gave the host a record advantage, 21:28, but the guest came back and reduced the difference to 30:32. Jones and Bryant brought the difference back to 6, and the Basques took a timeout. Bender’s three jumped to 34:43, but Henry answered with a three of his own on the other side. Ex Eilat then added a kidnapping and a layup in a breakaway that reduced the difference to 4 and caused Sapropolos to call a timeout, 2 and a half minutes to the end of the first half. Peters scored twice from the line and scored the half 43:47 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Quarter 3: Wilbkin came on the board with the first 2 points and Bender raised the Yellows to 43:51. In this quarter, the Basques continued to stay close to Maccabi, which is unable to produce its escape. Cloiaro’s three on the buzzer set at the end of the quarter 60:68 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Quarter 4: Hunter started to be very dominant under the basket and Sussman’s third three set a 71:80 mark, five minutes to go. The Basques answered with a 0: 5 run and returned the difference to only 4 points towards a close finish. Wilbkin scored his first three-pointer after 5 attempts, and Bryant gave a 9-point lead with a great dunk. At the end of it 82:91 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
