Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates Anadolu Efes 103-89 to Extend Winning Streak

Maccabi Returns to Winning Ways with Commanding Performance

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv delivered an impressive performance at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, defeating Anadolu Efes Istanbul 103-89 in Round 35 of the EuroLeague regular season. The Israeli powerhouse extended their winning streak to five consecutive victories, showcasing the form that has defined their successful campaign.

Coming into this contest, Maccabi had been riding high with four straight wins, including notable victories over Dubai Basketball and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul at home. Meanwhile, Anadolu Efes arrived in desperate need of a result after suffering three consecutive defeats to Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and AS Monaco, making this clash crucial for both teams' playoff aspirations.

Walker and Hoard Lead Offensive Charge

Lonnie Walker IV was simply spectacular for the home side, finishing with a game-high 25 points on exceptional shooting efficiency. Walker connected on 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and added four perfect free throws, terrorizing the Efes defense throughout the evening. His ability to create shots and knock down contested threes proved invaluable, particularly during crucial stretches in the third quarter when Maccabi built their commanding lead.

Jaylen Hoard complemented Walker's perimeter brilliance with a dominant interior performance. The American forward recorded 16 points and eight rebounds while shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Hoard's efficiency rating of 24 was among the highest on the court, and his ability to draw fouls and convert at the charity stripe kept Efes in constant foul trouble. His physical presence on the boards, grabbing four offensive rebounds, gave Maccabi numerous second-chance opportunities.

Clark Orchestrates from Point Guard

Jimmy Clark III delivered a masterclass in playmaking, dishing out eight assists while adding 17 points of his own. Clark's court vision and decision-making were on full display as he consistently found open teammates and exploited gaps in the Efes defense. He shot an impressive 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, demonstrating his dual-threat capability as both scorer and facilitator.

The American guard's ability to control tempo proved crucial in the second and third quarters, where Maccabi established and then extended their advantage. His chemistry with Walker and Hoard created a three-headed attack that Anadolu Efes simply could not contain consistently throughout the 40 minutes.

Sorkin and Blatt Provide Quality Minutes

Roman Sorkin emerged as a key contributor off the bench, tallying 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting while converting all five of his free-throw attempts. The Israeli big man's efficiency rating of 13 reflected his impact on both ends of the floor, particularly his defensive presence and ability to finish around the basket. Sorkin also contributed a crucial block and drew five fouls, keeping the Efes frontcourt honest.

Tamir Blatt provided an incredible spark in his 1,270 seconds of action, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range to finish with 12 points. Blatt's sharpshooting stretched the Efes defense and created driving lanes for his teammates. He also added five assists and three rebounds, showcasing his all-around contribution to Maccabi's balanced attack.

Loyd and Dessert Battle for Efes

Despite the loss, Jordan Loyd fought valiantly for Anadolu Efes, leading all visitors with 17 points. The American guard added four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in nearly 27 minutes of action. Loyd's versatility and scoring ability kept Efes within striking distance during portions of the game, but he lacked sufficient support from his teammates when it mattered most.

Brice Dessert dominated the paint with an incredibly efficient performance, converting 7-of-9 field goal attempts to finish with 16 points. The French center grabbed five offensive rebounds, all contributing to second-chance opportunities for the Turkish side. However, his five fouls limited his effectiveness in the crucial fourth quarter when Efes needed him most on the defensive end.

Third Quarter Proves Decisive

The game's turning point came in the third quarter when Maccabi outscored Anadolu Efes 29-20 to establish a commanding double-digit advantage. Walker was particularly devastating during this period, knocking down three three-pointers and continuously attacking the basket. The home team's defensive intensity increased significantly, forcing turnovers and converting them into easy transition baskets.

Maccabi's bench also outperformed their counterparts, with contributions from O'Shae Brissett and Marcio Santos providing crucial minutes. Brissett added eight points including a timely three-pointer, while Santos connected on both of his three-point attempts to stretch the Efes defense.

Efes Struggles from Deep Continue

Nick Weiler-Babb had a difficult evening for the visitors, managing just six points on 2-of-4 shooting. The German guard, who started and played nearly 20 minutes, picked up four fouls including a technical that proved costly. His struggles epitomized Anadolu Efes's overall shooting woes, particularly from three-point range where they failed to match Maccabi's perimeter accuracy.

Sehmus Hazer tried to spark the Efes offense off the bench with 12 points and five assists, but his 0-of-4 performance from beyond the arc highlighted the team's perimeter shooting problems. Despite drawing six fouls and making six free throws, Hazer couldn't generate enough offense to keep pace with Maccabi's balanced attack.

Defensive Effort Seals Victory

Maccabi's defensive performance deserves special recognition, as they held Anadolu Efes to just 89 points while forcing numerous difficult shots. The Israeli team's ability to protect the paint while also contesting three-point attempts created problems for Efes throughout the contest. Kai Jones provided valuable defensive minutes for the visitors with four blocks, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide.

The home team's rebounding advantage, particularly on the offensive glass, gave them multiple second-chance opportunities that they converted into points. This relentless effort on the boards epitomized Maccabi's determination to extend their winning streak and maintain their strong position in the EuroLeague standings.

Looking Ahead

This victory improves Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv's impressive recent form and strengthens their playoff positioning as the regular season enters its final stretch. Their balanced scoring attack, with five players reaching double figures, demonstrates the depth that makes them such a dangerous opponent. The team's ability to win in different ways – through perimeter shooting, interior dominance, or defensive intensity – will serve them well in crucial upcoming matches.

For Anadolu Efes Istanbul, this defeat represents their fourth consecutive loss and raises serious questions about their playoff hopes. The Turkish powerhouse must quickly regroup and rediscover their winning formula if they hope to secure a postseason berth. Their shooting struggles, particularly from three-point range, must be addressed urgently as the regular season winds down and every game becomes increasingly critical.