Maccabi Tel Aviv Suffers First League Loss After Overtime Thriller
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered its first Israeli Basketball Premier League loss, falling 93-90 to Maccabi Rishon LeZion in overtime. Coach Oded Katash cited poor shooting and fatigue, while coach Guy Kaplan praised his team's toughness and fan support. Star player Quay Grant called the win a validation of the team's potential. The team aims to build momentum after this defeat.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv lost its first league game 93-90 to Maccabi Rishon LeZion in overtime.
- Coach Oded Katash cited a poor shooting night and player fatigue for the loss.
- Maccabi Rishon LeZion's coach Guy Kaplan praised his team's intensity and crowd support.
- Star player Quay Grant called the win a validation of his team's potential.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv aims to build momentum after consecutive losses.
Maccabi Tel Aviv experienced its first defeat in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, losing 93-90 to Maccabi Rishon LeZion in overtime on Saturday. This marks a second consecutive loss for Oded Katash's team, following a EuroLeague game against Real Madrid.
Coach Katash attributed the loss to a poor shooting night, stating the team shot 2-for-18 from three-point range in the first half and missed five open threes in overtime. He acknowledged the team's fatigue, playing 48 hours after a significant game, but stressed the need to recover quickly, especially with a crucial double-week schedule ahead. Katash also highlighted mental challenges, noting player frustration when shots aren't falling and the importance of maintaining a positive spirit throughout the long season.
On the winning side, coach Guy Kaplan praised his team's intensity and the crowd's support, emphasizing that playing tough and believing in themselves can lead to victory. He acknowledged a previous "painful blow" but expressed satisfaction with the team's fight and their effort to overcome a slow start to the season.
Kaplan also lauded star player Quay Grant as the team's "engine," noting his performance under pressure and expressing happiness that some of that pressure was relieved. He cautioned against complacency, stressing the need to keep their feet on the ground despite the win.
Grant described the victory as validation of the team's potential and expressed excitement, aiming to build momentum. He thanked the fans for their support in pushing the team to the win.
