Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv gets back on the court on Thursday, with a rematch against last season's playoffs adversaries, Monaco (10 PM Israel time, 3 PM ET). Oded Kattash and his men will look to win on the road for a second game in a row, as part of the EuroLeague round five.
Maccabi have been practicing in the south of France during the week in preparation for the game. The yellows will once again wear a special t-shirt that says #BringThemHomeNow, in a call to release the more than 200 hostages in Gaza, and will don a black ribbon on the shoulder in honor of the approximately 1,400 murdered by terrorist organization Hamas.
"We remember from last year how difficult this arena is to play in", said head coach Oded Kattash. "Monaco are a very talented team this year too, with great continuity, and it will not be an easy task. We will want to make our fans happy, we are thinking about them every day, they are with us along with the citizens and soldiers. It will not be a simple game, but we are prepared as mush as we can and hope to come out with a good result".
With a 2-1 record, Maccabi stands in the 7th spot in the standings, one place ahead of their french rivals (2-2). The all-time record between the two is 5-4 in favor of Monaco, including 4-1 in Monte Carlo.
Sasa Obradovic's squad is largely the same as last season, with the marquee addition of former NBA star Kemba Walker to the back court. So far, the 33-years-old PG - who endured many injuries in recent years - has managed only 7 total points in 23 minutes of EuroLeague action. Apart from him, Monaco also added French centers Petr Cornelie and Mam Jaiteh.
Maccabi can't find answers in Monaco
The yellows received a blow by losing 79:107 in a 2023 playoffs rematch. Cleveland had 14 minutes, Omer Mayer played his first EuroLeague minutes
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv suffered their biggest defeat of the young season, losing 79:107 to Monaco in the south of France on Thursday. The Israeli champs lacked tempo and intensity in a rematch of last season's playoffs series, and now holds a 2-2 record in the EuroLeague.
It was a tough night for the yellows, who could not find their rhythm from deep and got punished on defense buy a stellar Mike James. The game shape difference was also in full effect: it was Monaco's 13 official game of the season, while only the fourth for Maccabi.
Antonius Cleveland was a bright spot for Oded Kattash, as the rookie guard scored season-high 14 points. Another moment to remember came in the fourth quarter when 17-year-old Omer Mayer saw his first EuroLeague minutes - and became Maccabi's youngest ever player in the competition.