Maccabi Tel Aviv Falls to Crvena Zvezda in Dramatic EuroLeague Match
Match Summary
Maccabi Tel Aviv displayed resilience in a thrilling EuroLeague matchup against Crvena Zvezda but ultimately succumbed to a 99-92 defeat in Belgrade on Thursday night. After overcoming a 14-point deficit to take the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, Maccabi faced a disappointing end, marking their second consecutive loss and leaving them with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses for the season.
Game Dynamics
The game featured contrasting styles: Crvena Zvezda, known for their solid defense, ranked second in the league in points allowed, while Maccabi operated at a high offensive pace, placing sixth in scoring. Despite missing their top scorer, Jordan Nwora, Crvena Zvezda shifted to a faster tempo, exploiting Maccabi’s weaknesses on defense.
Maccabi initially started strong, sinking three three-pointers in the first three minutes, but their defensive lapses allowed Crvena Zvezda to command a substantial lead early on. The hosts hit an impressive 10 of 13 from the field, racing ahead to a 15-26 advantage. A unique lineup featuring Romen Sorkin, T.J. Leaf, and Jalen Hoard produced 14 free throw attempts in the first quarter, but Maccabi ended the quarter trailing 33-26.
Mid-Game Struggles
The second quarter saw Maccabi’s defense further falter, trailing by 14 points at 56-42. However, Hoard stepped up with 12 points, keeping Maccabi competitive as they went into halftime down 48-58. Crvena Zvezda started the second half sluggishly, which allowed Maccabi to inch back into contention as they strategically utilized their bench players.
Entering the fourth quarter, Maccabi gained notable momentum, aided by an explosive performance from their substitutes, including Jimmy Clarke and D’Angelo Harrison, who helped Maccabi briefly take the lead at 78-81. Yet, Crvena Zvezda countered effectively, with big baskets from Chima Mstartke and Abou Issa turning the momentum back in their favor.
Clutch Moments
With a minute and a half remaining and Maccabi trailing 94-88, the team struggled with their execution. They failed to convert crucial possessions as their playmaker, Tamir Blatt, had an off night contributing only 7 points. An essential three-pointer from Ognjen Dobric 33 seconds before the final buzzer sealed the victory for Crvena Zvezda.
Player Highlights
For Maccabi, Hoard led the scoring with 20 points, while Loni Walker added 18 and Oshae Brissett contributed 12. In contrast, Crvena Zvezda was propelled by Cody Miller-McIntyre, who scored 23 points and dished out 12 assists, notable performances from Mstartke (16 points) and Abou Issa (15 points) rounded out a strong team effort.
Maccabi will look to address their defensive inconsistencies as they prepare for their next EuroLeague challenge.
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