Published on December 4, 2025 at 09:05 PM by driblio.net
Date
2025-12-04
Venue
Round
Round 14
Attendance
780
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv secured a crucial 87-80 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 14 of EuroLeague action on Wednesday evening. The home side bounced back from their narrow one-point defeat to Real Madrid just over a week ago, delivering a composed performance in front of 780 spectators to claim a vital seven-point triumph.
The Israeli club entered this contest desperate for a positive result after their heartbreaking 74-75 home loss to Real Madrid. Meanwhile, ASVEL arrived in Tel Aviv in the midst of a troubling stretch, having lost five of their last six games including recent defeats to Barcelona and Monaco. The contrast in momentum was evident from the opening tip, as Hapoel seized control early and never truly relinquished their grip on the contest.
Hapoel Tel Aviv established their authority immediately, racing to a commanding 27-17 lead after the first quarter. The home team's defensive intensity and offensive fluidity caught ASVEL off guard, as they exploited mismatches and converted opportunities with clinical efficiency. Dan Oturu was particularly effective in the early going, using his physical presence inside to trouble the French side's interior defense.
The 10-point cushion after the opening period proved crucial for Hapoel's confidence. They executed their offensive sets with patience and precision, moving the ball effectively to find high-percentage scoring opportunities. The Israeli side's defensive pressure forced ASVEL into uncomfortable positions, disrupting their rhythm and limiting their ability to establish any consistent offensive flow.
The second quarter saw ASVEL mount a response, outscoring their hosts 24-20 to trim the deficit heading into halftime. Nando De Colo, the experienced French guard, began to assert his influence on the game, using his veteran savvy to penetrate Hapoel's defense and create scoring opportunities both for himself and his teammates. The visitors' improved defensive focus also helped stem the tide of Hapoel's early offensive surge.
Despite ASVEL's improved performance, Hapoel maintained a 47-41 advantage at the break. The home team's first-quarter excellence provided them with a valuable buffer, and they showed maturity in weathering ASVEL's second-quarter storm. Tyler Ennis contributed eight points in his 648 seconds of action, providing steady ball-handling and knocking down two three-pointers to keep the visitors at arm's length during their best spell of the game.
The third quarter developed into a closely contested affair, with ASVEL slightly edging the period 23-17. The French side's defensive adjustments began to take effect, making life more difficult for Hapoel's perimeter players. ASVEL's intensity on the defensive glass improved markedly, with Armel Traore proving particularly effective with his length and athleticism, contributing eight rebounds and three assists across his 1,288 seconds of court time.
However, Hapoel showed resilience when it mattered most. Johnathan Motley provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 16 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting from the field. His ability to create offense in isolation situations and draw fouls kept ASVEL's defense honest. Motley's physical interior play complemented Oturu's work beautifully, giving Hapoel a formidable one-two punch in the paint.
Antonio Blakeney delivered an outstanding all-around performance, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists while posting a game-high plus-minus of +16. His impact extended far beyond the box score, as his defensive intensity and willingness to make the extra pass energized his teammates during crucial stretches. Blakeney's two steals and zero turnovers exemplified his disciplined approach, demonstrating why he has become such a valuable component of Hapoel's rotation.
Collin Malcolm also played a significant role in securing the victory, logging 1,404 seconds of playing time and finishing with a plus-minus of +12. His two steals and defensive presence helped Hapoel maintain their advantage when ASVEL threatened to make the game uncomfortable down the stretch. Malcolm's ability to impact winning without dominating the ball showcased his team-first mentality and basketball intelligence.
Despite the defeat, De Colo produced an exceptional individual performance, leading all scorers with 20 points on remarkably efficient 6-of-8 shooting from the field. The former EuroLeague champion added three assists and drew six fouls, constantly putting pressure on Hapoel's defense with his craftiness and experience. His perfect 6-of-6 performance from the free-throw line kept ASVEL within striking distance throughout the contest.
De Colo's efficiency rating of 22 was the highest in the game, underlining his dominance during his 1,594 seconds on court. However, his four fouls eventually limited his impact in crucial moments, and he lacked sufficient support from his teammates. Glynn Watson managed 10 points and six assists but struggled with his shooting efficiency, converting just 4-of-12 from the field, while Mbaye Ndiaye endured a difficult evening with a minus-16 rating in his 688 seconds of action.
The disparity in bench production ultimately proved decisive in this encounter. Beyond Motley and Blakeney, Vasilije Micic contributed valuable minutes with four points, four rebounds, and six assists. The Serbian guard's playmaking ability helped maintain offensive flow during critical stretches, though his two turnovers and three missed field goals suggested he is still finding his rhythm with his new team.
Chris Jones provided energy and defensive pressure off the bench, recording two steals and a plus-13 rating in his 1,092 seconds. His hustle plays and willingness to do the dirty work exemplified Hapoel's collective spirit and determination. The home team's bench outscored ASVEL's reserves significantly, demonstrating the depth that has helped them remain competitive throughout this EuroLeague campaign.
Ish Wainright was outstanding on both ends of the floor, recording three steals and finishing with a plus-11 rating. His versatility allowed Hapoel to switch defensive assignments and maintain pressure on ASVEL's ball-handlers. Wainright's eight points on 3-of-6 shooting, including two three-pointers, provided timely scoring when Hapoel needed to answer ASVEL runs.
The defensive effort extended throughout Hapoel's lineup. The home team forced ASVEL into difficult shots and limited second-chance opportunities, controlling the defensive glass when it mattered most. Elijah Bryant grabbed seven rebounds, including six on the defensive end, while contributing four points and three assists across his 1,590 seconds of playing time despite his shooting struggles.
Hapoel's 23-16 advantage in the final quarter demonstrated their superior composure and execution under pressure. While ASVEL showed fight throughout the contest, they could never quite close the gap sufficiently to truly threaten Hapoel's lead. The home team's experience in tight situations proved invaluable, as they made crucial free throws and got defensive stops when required.
Oturu finished with an impressive 18 points and seven rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, providing reliable interior scoring throughout the contest. His efficiency and presence in the paint forced ASVEL to commit additional defensive resources, creating opportunities for Hapoel's perimeter players. The combination of Oturu's inside dominance and the outside shooting threat kept ASVEL's defense constantly off-balance.
This victory improves Hapoel Tel Aviv's EuroLeague record and provides crucial momentum after their narrow defeat to Real Madrid. The team demonstrated the resilience and character necessary to compete at this level, overcoming ASVEL's second-half pressure to secure a well-deserved triumph. Their balanced scoring attack and defensive intensity suggest they have the tools to remain competitive throughout the remainder of the season.
For ASVEL, this defeat extends their difficult stretch and raises questions about their ability to find consistency. Despite De Colo's excellence and flashes of quality from role players, they lacked the collective cohesion and defensive discipline required to win on the road in EuroLeague competition. The French side will need to regroup quickly and find solutions to their current struggles if they hope to salvage their season and secure a playoff position.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NANDO DE COLO | ASV | 20 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | DAN OTURU | HTA | 18 | 7 | 0 |
| 3 | JOHNATHAN MOTLEY | HTA | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | ANTONIO BLAKENEY | HTA | 16 | 6 | 4 |
| 5 | GLYNN WATSON | ASV | 10 | 2 | 6 |
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