Yellow-and-blue opens Adriatic League campaign in style
The yellow-and-blue opened an early lead and was in complete control after taking a 25-13 margin into the second period.
By ALLON SINAIMacabi Tel Aviv coach David Blatt 311(photo credit: Adi Avishai)
Maccabi Tel Aviv began its season on Saturday with what will surely be the first of many straight-forward victories in the coming year, beating Novo Mesto 83-68 in Slovenia in its Adriatic League opener.The yellow-and-blue opened an early lead and was in complete control after taking a 25-13 margin into the second period.The hosts closed to within six points (38-32) at one stage, but Maccabi increased its margin to double-digits by the break (42- 32) and maintained it throughout the second half on its way to a comfortable win.Sofoklis Schortsanitis led Tel Aviv with 18 points, hitting seven-of-eight shots, with Devin Smith and Jordan Farmar adding 11 points apiece.Yogev Ohayon surprisingly started the game for Maccabi and had eight points and six steals in his debut for the team. However, Jon Scheyer has yet to find his place in David Blatt’s side, scoring just two points in four minutes.“We began the game well and had some very good moments,” Maccabi assistant coach Guy Goodes said. “This win gives us a lot of confidence going forward. We are only in the beginning of the season and many players are still trying to find their place in the roster.
“Scheyer did some wonderful things in college, but we mustn’t forget that he is still a rookie in Europe. We should give him some more time before we judge him and I believe that he will eventually find his place.”Maccabi visits Lasko in its second Adriatic game on Monday before hosting Cibona Zagreb in its home opener at Nokia Arena on Thursday night.Tel Aviv will play in the BSL preseason Chance Cup at Malha Arena next week before opening its Israeli league campaign at Hapoel Gilboa/Galil on October 16 and beginning its participation in the Euroleague away at Milano on October 20.
