Maccabi Tel Aviv's Defense Crumbles in EuroLeague Amidst Alarming Statistical Decline
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv's EuroLeague defense is in crisis, allowing 94.1 points per game and ranking last in defensive efficiency after eight games of the 2026/27 season. A five-year trend shows a significant increase in points conceded, widening the gap with the league average. Opponents are excelling from three-point range, contributing to the team's overall defensive struggles, which require urgent improvement for any playoff aspirations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv is allowing 94.1 points per game, the third-worst in the EuroLeague, after eight games.
- The team ranks last in defensive efficiency, conceding 126.7 points per 100 possessions.
- Points allowed per game have steadily increased over the last five seasons, reaching 94.1 this year.
- Opponents are shooting a league-high 42.5% on an average of 33.6 three-pointers per game against Maccabi.
- Maccabi's defense allows the highest opponent true shooting percentage in the EuroLeague at 65.2%.
- Despite good steal and rebound numbers, Maccabi allows the third-most assists per game (22.3).
Maccabi Tel Aviv is facing a significant defensive crisis in the EuroLeague, with alarming statistics after eight games of the 2026/27 season painting a worrying picture. The team is conceding an average of 94.1 points per game, the third-worst in the league. More critically, Maccabi ranks last in defensive efficiency, allowing 126.7 points per 100 possessions, indicating opponents easily generate scoring opportunities regardless of game pace.
A five-season trend reveals a steady deterioration. Points allowed per game have risen from 80.9 in 2022/23 to 94.1 this season, a 13.2-point increase. While the league's average scoring has also risen, Maccabi's defensive performance has worsened disproportionately, with the gap between their conceded points and the league average widening from 0.2 to 7.1 points.
The most concerning data relates to three-point defense. Opponents are shooting an average of 33.6 three-pointers per game at a 42.5% success rate, both league highs. Three-pointers now constitute 53% of opponents' field goal attempts, compared to significantly fewer in previous seasons. This means Maccabi is not only allowing more three-point attempts but also higher success rates, contributing to opponents' true shooting percentage of 65.2%, the highest in the EuroLeague.
Even home games are dire, with 100.3 points conceded per game and a defensive efficiency of 133.8. Away games are slightly better but still poor. Despite ranking well in steals and defensive rebounds, these positives are overshadowed by allowing an average of 22.3 assists per game, the third-highest in the league, and ranking last in opponent assist ratio. This suggests positive defensive plays are not translating into sustained stops.
While the current season's data is based on a small sample of eight games, the persistent upward trend in points allowed over recent years indicates a need for significant change. For Maccabi Tel Aviv to recover from their season start and contend for the top of the EuroLeague, they must urgently improve their defense, particularly against the three-point line.
