This is a matchup between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Kauno Zalgiris of the Euroleague. Maccabi Tel Aviv and Kauno Zalgiris will meet at Menora Mivtachim Arena, the home of Maccabi in Tel Aviv. This is an entertaining game, so please review our thoughts here below.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Currently, Maccabi is in the 10th place of the Euroleague standings (12-14). Lately, they’ve been playing well as they won 5 of their last games. In these games, they are showing some great defense as they allow only 71.8 points a game. In home games Maccabi playing pretty well with the record of 8-5. Maccabi has stepped up a lot as they started the season with 1-7 record. Ioannis Sfairopoulos gameplan started to work out and now Maccabi plays almost perfectly.
Scottie Wilbekin is on fire lately, he is averaging 16.6ppg and 4.2apg. He is simply carrying his team all game long and especially in the clutch moments. Johnny O’Bryant surprisingly is not getting it done at all lately. He is averaging only 8.6ppg in his last games and this is not enough for his team. He should step up his game if Maccabi wants to go to the playoffs.
Maccabi is all healthy and has no injured players. Maccabi’s leaders this season are Scottie Wilbekin (13ppg, 3.2ast), Johhny O’Bryant (11.1ppg, 5.4rpg).
Zalgiris Kaunas
Currently, Zalgiris is in the 12th seed of the Euroleague standings (11-15) and are looking to go for the final run to get that playoff spot. Lately, Kaunas has been playing very well lately, they have won 3 out of their last 5 games. And mainly it was because of their offense, in these 5 games, they averaged above 82 points a game. In away games, Zalgiris is struggling with the record 4-7.
Marius Grigonis has been playing very well lately, he is averaging 13.8ppg and 3.8apg, which is a good result for him. He is a huge part of Zalgiris success, Grigonis is a universal player, who can shoot, make some plays for his teammates and drive to the basket. Thomas Walkup is surprisingly playing some very good basketball lately as well. By the time Derrick Walton Jr. was waived from the team, Walkup started playing at the point guard position and he fits there nicely. In his last 4 games, he is averaging 14ppg and 3.5apg. The playmaking of these two players is opening up opportunities for Brandon Davies. In his last 4 games, he averages 15ppg, 5.1rpg, and 3.5apg.
Zalgiris is all healthy and has no injured players. Zalgiris leaders this season: Brandon Davies (14.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 2apg), Nate Wolters (12.2ppg, 4.6apg, 3rpg), Aaron White (8.7ppg, 4.6rpg), Marius Grigonis (8.2ppg, 1.9apg, 46.2% 3FG%).
H2H
Last game was played in Kaunas and Zalgiris came up victorious with the result 80-73. The thing has changed a little bit now as Maccabi plays completely different basketball and are climbing up the standings. Maccabi’s leaders in the last game: Scottie Wilbekin (20pts, 2rebs), Johnny O’Bryant (18pts, 4rebs, 1ast). Zalgiris’ leaders were: Artūras Milaknis (16pts, 1ast), Brandon Davies (13pts, 5rebs, 2ast), Edgaras Ulanovas (13pts, 4rebs, 2ast).
Article Image Taken From http://www.maccabi.co.il/gameZone.asp?gameID=9438&cYear=2019&lang=en