On Thursday: Maccabi and Valencia clash in Tel Aviv
After recovering from a three-game losing streak, the Yellows will battle the Spaniards at Menora Mivtachim Arena. Kattash: "Our biggest advantage - our character"
07/12/2022
HOME·News Archive· On Thursday: Maccabi and Valencia clash in Tel Aviv
There are no easy games in the Euroleague. This is the main mantra Oded Kattash has been employing since the summer, and rightfully so. Tomorrow (Thursday, 9 pm Israel time, 2 pm EST), this mantra will be tested again, as well as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv which will host Valencia in an important Euroleague encounter.
The Yellows will have to go to battle without Alex Poythress who will be absent for a long period, but if there is one thing that the fans should be optimistic about is the team's home record in the Euroleague which stands at 5:1. Moving scenes are expected before the game, as a special ceremony announcing Nikola Vujcic as a EuroLeague legend will be held.
"We are playing against a team that keeps improving as the season progresses", said Kattash ahead of the game. "Valencia has aggressive and experienced front-line players, which will present a challenge for us with Alex's injury. Our biggest advantage for me is our healthy dressing room and the character the players show. We just need to increase our aggression level at this point".
"We know that defensive rebounding is a weakness of ours, and we are trying to improve on this aspect", stated Bonzie Colson who ended on an optimistic note: "No matter what happens, we are staying united and sticking to what the coach teaches us. We come to work every day with a smile on our faces and know that the victories will come".
Maccabi shows improved defense, beats Valencia at home
The Yellows forced 21 turnovers on the Spaniards and ended their three-game losing streak in the Euroleague with an 84:68 win. Brown scored 15 points
08/12/2022
HOME·News Archive· Maccabi shows improved defense, beats Valencia at home
In an evening that started with a special ceremony announcing Nikola Vujcic as a Euroleague legend, there was no way this game would have ended differently. After losing three games in a row, Maccabi Plytika Tel Aviv came back tonight (Thursday) with a decisive 84:68 win over Valencia at Menora Mivtachim Arena, and earned a boost of confidence ahead of a crucial week.
For the first time ever wearing black jerseys, the Yellows dominated and won a game through their defense. Oded Kattash's players forced 21 turnovers on the Spaniards, got the lead early in the game, and held off a comeback attempt in the third quarter to clinch a 6:6 Euroleague record.
Lorenzo Brown led Maccabi again with 15 points, but there was also a concerning moment when his backline partner, Wade Baldwin, was injured, left the court in the second half, and didn't come back.
The Yellows now have a 6:1 record at home, but a first away win is a must. On Tuesday and Thursday, against Milano and Virtus Bologna, Maccabi will get another shot at this goal.