Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv came into its game at Veolia Towers Hamburg with a most potent offense, but the Israeli side outdid even itself with its outstanding performance on the road in Round 4.
Hapoel out-did even itself with impressive offensive output
Hapoel set several offensive club records in registering a 72-111 blowout of Hamburg for a perfect 3-0 record. The Israeli side, which averaged 98.5 points in the first two games, set a club record for most points in a quarter with 36 in the first 10 minutes. And the 59 points in the first half tied the club mark for most first-half points in a game. The final tally of 111 points also eclipsed the team’s record of 108. And Hapoel’s 39-point winning margin matched its EuroCup record as well set last season against Promitheus Patras.
“We just tried to play our game and with everything going on we just have more motivation to come out here and hoop,” said Braian Angola, who collected 18 points and 11 rebounds in the win as one of six players in double figures.
"Having six players in double figures is amazing for us. That is what we are trying to do: play together and play the full 40 minutes. It’s unbelievable the job that we are doing. We just hope to keep doing it.”
Hapoel was unstoppable on offense, making 26-of-33 two-pointers (78.8%), just better than its previous best of 78.7%. Hapoel was shooting 90.0% on two-pointers after 10 minutes, 82.4% at halftime and 82.6% after three quarters.
The visitors also nailed 50.0% of their three-pointers - 12-of-24 - while dishing out 29 assists and committing just 8 turnovers - none of them in the fourth quarter when the game was already long decided.
"It took some time after the good start to keep the flow, to keep our focus in the game and get some good minutes playing defense. But we came out of the locker room a little different for the second half, picking up the intensity on the floor and making a run that was tough for Hamburg to get back into it,” Hapoel coach Danny Franco said afterward.