Maccabi on high after Vitoria win, welcomes Bnei Hasharon

Blatt's squad yet to lose in BSL.

By ALLON SINAI
Perkins 311 (photo credit: (Adi Avishai)
Perkins 311
(photo credit: (Adi Avishai)
After consolidating its place atop Euroleague Group A with an impressive victory over Caja Laboral Vitoria on Thursday, Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to further strengthen its position as the BSL’s top dog when its hosts Bnei Hasharon at Nokia Arena on Sunday night.
Maccabi’s 81-70 victory was its fifth straight in continental competition, improving its record to 5-1 after holding an opponent to 70 points or less for the fourth time in its past fifth games.
“It was an interesting and well-played game by both teams,” said Maccabi coach David Blatt, whose side avenged its 16-point loss to Vitoria in Spain. “It was a game that was more fitting for February and March than November. That shows the power and the level of basketball displayed by both teams.
“The players did everything needed to win without thinking of themselves from a personal standpoint. It’s fun to coach a team like this.”
Maccabi has won its six BSL games so far by an average 28.7 points, and will be facing an erratic Bnei Hasharon team which has lost two of its last three after beginning the season 3-0.
Bnei Hasharon added former Maccabi star Maceo Baston to its roster last week, but the 34-year-old forward will not be playing on Sunday, and coach Dan Shamir will be first and foremost hoping his team can avoid embarrassment at Nokia and give Tel Aviv a run for its money.
Also Sunday, Maccabi Ashdod, which beat Bnei Hasharon last week, hosts Maccabi Haifa and Barak Netanya visits Hapoel Gilboa/Galil.
Hapoel Holon welcomes Ironi Ashkelon on Monday.
On Saturday, Hapoel Jerusalem registered its fourth straight BSL victory, beating Maccabi Rishon Lezion 75-66 at Malha Arena.
Jerusalem trailed throughout the first half, but outscored Rishon 28-9 in the third quarter and cruised for the final 10 minutes.
Jason Rich led Hapoel with 19 points, with Brian Randle adding 17 points and nine rebounds for the hosts, which improve to 5-2. Raymar Morgan had 16 points for Rishon, which fell to 3-4.