Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv hosts TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Thursday evening in Menora Mivtachim Arena for another playoff spot battle as part of the double week EuroLeague clash (21:05, Live on Sport5 - Channel 55). The Israeli champions attempt to sweep the season series against the Basque side after beating them on the road 67:63 in the first round. Maccabi comes in with an 8:11 record as the visitors hold a positive record, 10 wins compared to 9 losses.

"Baskonia is a very good team, we respect them a lot, but for us, this moment is to recover after yesterday's loss, and we have one more important game to fight for tomorrow", Said head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos in the pre-game press conference before the contest. "We lost one battle, but the war is alive and still in play. We need to focus on ourselves even though Baskonia can hurt you if you underestimate them, but at the end of the day, we need to be ready on our side to fight and get this win". 

"When you play well defensively, that helps your offensive rhythm. I think the balance between the two is key, and that's what we want to do all the time".

Chris Jones, who scored 10 points in the last matchup against the Spanish unit, added: "As coach said, we need to focus more on the small details, be more aggressive on defense and focus on executing better offensively. Baskonia is a good team on both ends of the court, but I believe we'll give ourselves a good chance if we perform those actions".

"I'm absolutely positive we can get the number of wins to qualify for the playoffs. For us, the opponent doesn't matter, each game is a must-win", Said the Croatian big man Ante Zizic. "Sometimes in basketball, you're unlucky in the end, you hit shots, and you miss shots. We need to be more focused on securing the games in the final possessions".

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Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv closed the double EuroLeague clash on Thursday with an excellent home win over TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, 91:82. Giannis Sfairopoulos's squad registered a balanced attacking game and a fine defensive effort improving their European record to 9:11. The Israeli champions came determined from the get-go, receiving points from all 12 players and excellent contribution from several players. 

Yovel Zoosman finished the night with 11 points (3 threes), 3 assists, and a strong defensive showing. Othello Hunter added 14 points and 5 rebounds, Elijah Bryant 14 points, and 4 assists Angelo Caloiaro 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Now the Yellow & Blue await for next week's matchup as Real Madrid will come into Menora Mivtachim Arena to face Giannis Sfairopoulos's squad. 



Game Summary
Maccabi opened with Scottie Wilbekin, Yovel Zoosman, Elijah Bryant, Dragan Bender, and Ante Zizic in the starting five. Luca Vildoza, Tadas Sedekerskis, Rokas Giedraitis, Achille Polonara, and Youssoupha Fall began for the basque side.

Fall dominated the paint in the first minutes of the contest, which gave the visitors a 6:0 start. Wilbekin facilitated the offense by dishing three assists to Zoosman (three pointer) and Zizic (back-to-back buckets inside), directing the host's offense, 7:11. Bryant hit consecutive mid-range floaters, and John DiBartolomeo knocked down a triple, closing a 12:2 run, 17:13. 

Alec Peters and Vildoza drilled shots from behind the arc, DiBartolomeo responded on the other, and Angelo Caloiaro played effectively on both ends on the court, concluding the quarter tipping in an offensive board with 0.5 seconds, 26:21.



Zoran Dragic and Giedraitis converted from the free-throw line, but Othello Hunter's steal led to easy fastbreak points, and Chris Jones, with a mid-range jumper, kept Maccabi on top, 32:26. 

Jones and Omri Casspi added points from the charity stroke as the Israeli forward dished a beautiful assist to Zizic, and Bender shot in a three-pointer, 43:34. Pierria Henry led the visitors to a quick 7:0 stretch cutting the Yellow & Blue edge down to 1, but Bryant and Caloiaro's bucket inside, determined the first half score, 47:43.

Wilbekin shot in his first shot of the night to open the second half, and Zoosman executed superbly, scoring five points and finding the driving Bender who slammed down an easy bucket, 56:50. Vildoza and Henry kept Baskonia in striking distance as Bender added his second triple, and Caloiaro scored his 10th point, beating the third-quarter buzzer, 68:60.



The final 10 minutes opened with Hunter's dunk fest as a pick and roll between Jones and center concluded with a one-handed alley-oop. Later Bryant found the American big man for another alley-oop finish scoring 6 straight points, 75:68. 

On the other end, Peters and Guidraitis didn't let the game slip away, hitting shots from deep, cutting the advantage down 4. Wilbekin blasted a deep three, and Bryant sealed the deal with a swooping right-handed slam. Maccabi gains a vital home victory over Baskonia, 91:82.

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