Maccabi Tel Aviv Aims for Tougher Play Against Besiktas in EuroLeague

Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to host Besiktas in their second EuroLeague game on Wednesday, aiming for a significantly improved performance after a disappointing opening loss to Villeurbanne. Coach Oded Katash emphasized the need for his team to be "much better" and "more aggressive," stating they need to be "a little meaner" and more physical to match the fast-paced style of their opponents.

The team is looking to display a different brand of basketball, characterized by higher tempo, increased aggression, and better offensive flow. Katash acknowledged that the team's previous performance was insufficient and is experimenting with different player combinations to achieve this.

Regarding the roster, TJ Leaf is expected to make his EuroLeague debut this season, while Jalen Clark, who saw limited action in the previous game after returning from a hip injury, is anticipated to receive more significant playing time. Captain John DiBartolomeo will miss the game due to his brother's wedding.

Maccabi Tel Aviv continues to play its European home games outside of Israel due to the security situation, with matches currently held in Belgrade. The club is actively seeking to return home games to Israel and is awaiting a visit from the EuroLeague CEO next week to assess the situation. Concurrently, the team is in discussions with Cypriot authorities to potentially relocate their home games from Belgrade to Cyprus, a move that could ease player recovery between games and make attendance more appealing for fans.