Israel’s Maccabi Haifa will making the trip over to the FedEx Forum on Thursday, October 8th. They’ll be facing the Memphis Grizzlies in the first of two international NBA games on tour. The second matchup will see Maccabi Haifa taking on the the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Sunday, October 11th. The tour will see Israel’s basketball club travel to the US for the fifth time in six years to play NBA competition.
Maccabi Haifa owner Jeffrey Rosen is ecstatic for the upcoming Grizzlies matchup. “We are thrilled to have the Grizzlies invite us back to the great city of Memphis, and we’re looking forward to matching up against one of the most talented teams in the NBA” Rosen joyously remarked.
Rosen originally acquired the the team in July 2007, prior to the 2007-2008 season. He rennamed the club Maccabi Haifa from Maccabi Bat Galim. Under Rosen’s direction they would win the franchise’s first Israeli league championship in the 2012-13 season. Guard Gal Mekel would be named MVP. Mekel had two NBA stints on the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans in the 2013-14 seasons.
Maccabi Haifa’s Last Memphis Grizzlies Matchup
Oct 13, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) talks to Haifa center Ido Kozikaro (13) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
The team last played the Memphis Grizzlies over at the FedEx Forum back on October 13, 2013. The Grizzlies earned the win, 116-70. Tony Allen was the high scorer of the game with 19 points on 5-11 from the field (8-10 from the line). Marc Gasol poured in 17 points of his own on 7-11 field goals (7-8 from the stripe). Guard David Cubillan was the high scorer for Maccabi Haifa with 17 points on 7-14 from the field (1-2 from the line).
Maccabi Haifa turned over the ball at a much lower rate than the Grizzlies in their last matchup: 15 to the Grizzlies’ 21. However, they hurt their chances at the three point line. They went 4-21 from beyond the arch (19% 3PM) compared to the Grizzlies who shot 50% with 7-14 made. They were also out-rebounded by the Grizzlies 56-26, with Kosta Koufos pulling down 12 boards off the bench.
Check out the official box score over at ESPN.
Maccabi Haifa would make the Israeli Basketball Super League Finals for a second consecutive season in the 2013-14 season. The club would see Maccabi Tel Aviv, losing the first of two at home, 77-81. Maccabi Haifa would barely be edged out by Maccabi Tel Aviv in a cumulative total score loss of 161-163. Despite winning the second of two games 84-82 in overtime, Maccabi Haifa needed to win by a total of 5 to secure the championship.
Maccabi Haifa’s Storied NBA History
Maccabi Haifa ranks second all-time among international basketball teams in games played against NBA competition. They’ve faced 10 NBA opponents total including: the Memphis Grizzlies, New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings and the Detroit Pistons.
In 2014, Maccabi Haifa became Israel’s first team to start an international developmental team, the Miami Midnites. The Midnites played in the Florida Basketball Association, and finished their inaugural season with a 11-1 record. They would go on to defeat Tampa Bay Rebels in the Finals to win a championship.
As part of their US tour, Maccabi Haifa will be hosting charity basketball clinics for underprivileged and special needs youth. The Haifa Hoops charity program will be available for youth in the Memphis and Los Angeles areas.
Maccabi Haifa’s original press release available at this link.
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