By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
LDLC ASVEL had slim chances to make it to the postseason before the tipoff. However, after losing at home to Maccabi, those hopes are diminished.
The Israelis got the 102-95 win and improved their record to 8-20, while ASVEL dropped to an 11-17 record.
Levi Randoph scored 19 points, while Jimmy Clark, Marial Shayok, and Romain Sorkin scored 15 points each.
“A testament to a team playing together, we showed our character. We fought through a lot of adversity, and we are now starting to have a consistent roster we can build on. Despite our situation in the EuroLeague, everybody has the right mindset and is trying to get better. We are focused on building with what we have left in the season,” Randolph said after the game.
Rokas Jokubaitis and Jaylen Hoard were still missing, but despite their absences, Maccabi won ον the road.
Nando De Colo scored 20 points but couldn’t save the day for the hosts, who also missed Theo Maledon with a left hand injury and was transferred to the hospital to be evaluated.
Decided on details
The game was balanced in the first half, with the two teams tied at 20 after the first period, and Maccabi got a slight advantage by halftime (53-51).
The dogfight continued, but the Israelis managed to build a 75-67 lead with newcomer Jimmy Clark scoring nine points in 13 minutes of action and closed the third period up by four (78-74).
With four minutes left, a three by Marial Shayok and a two-pointer by Jasiel Rivero gave Maccabi a six-point cushion (92-86), and ASVEL managed to make it a one-point game (96-95) after a goal foul by Sako entering the last minutes.
Rivero scored again (98-95), Nando De Colo missed, and Levi Randolph sealed the win with two free throws (100-95) and 23 seconds left.
ASVEL couldn’t score in the next possession, Trevion Williams got fouled and made one free throw (101-95), missed the second, but Maccabi got the offensive reboun,d and the game was over.
“Both teams made a lot of mistakes defensively. Offensively, we played the right way, even though it wasn’t easy. Defensively, we could have played better; they punished us with offensive rebounds, and an experienced player like De Colo always found a way to hurt us. We are showing character, even though we don’t have a chance for the playoffs,” Maccabi Tel Aviv’s head coach Oded Kattash said.