Another big scoring night from the red-hot backcourt duo of Wade Baldwin (23 points) and Lorenzo Brown (18 points) might get the headlines, but Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv will tell you that Thursday’s 65-85 victory at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne was mainly achieved through another route: outstanding second-half defense.
The opening two quarters were closely contested, with the lead changing hands several times as both teams traded blows. Maccabi just about held the advantage after a high-scoring first half, 43-46, but ASVEL was very much staying in the game.
