Kattash Calls for Maccabi Response Before Paris EuroLeague Game

Oded Kattash called on Maccabi Tel Aviv to respond to three consecutive defeats as the team prepared to face Paris Basketball in the EuroLeague on Thursday. The coach spoke on Wednesday before the round-nine fixture, which the club lists for October 29 at 21:05 at Aleksandar Nikolić Hall in Belgrade. "We disappointed ourselves badly," Kattash said. He described a difficult day of mental recovery and called for greater energy, determination and better body language against an intense opponent. He also stressed the need to remain composed when Paris converted difficult shots. Will Rayman, speaking after the final training session, said the players needed to adapt to Paris's physicality and fast pace, stay united and play hard together. Maccabi's run of defeats includes a domestic loss to Maccabi Rishon LeZion and Tuesday's 100–78 defeat by Red Star Belgrade. The club's preview says the latter result left Maccabi with two wins and six losses in the EuroLeague. Jimmy Clark scored 19 points and Roman Sorkin added 13. Paris also enters with a 2–6 record, having ended four consecutive EuroLeague losses with a 99–93 away win over Dubai. Nadir Hifi and Jared Rhoden each scored 20 points in that game. Maccabi said John DiBartolomeo had returned to Israel following the birth of his first daughter and would be absent from Thursday's squad.