11 Dec.2016 – Mouttahed host Homenetmen on Sunday afternoon in a much-anticipated game.
Mouttahed are looking to grab the first win at home against a very organized opponent. Two teams that play different kinds of basketball. Coach Abaz implicates a classical European style of play. Nothing fancy but effective. Pick and rolls, pick and pop, every player knows his task and where he should be on every play. Productive play and as minimal TO as possible.
For coach Joe, it’s a bit different. He likes the open court, run and gun approach of the game. This could be quite helpful today as Mouttahed are not your typical fast running team although their transition defense is not half bad. Questions may be asked about Spencer and Curry’s input on defense against an offensive powerhouse as Homenemtmen.
It will be interesting today to see who establishes dominance down low. Will Daniels and Ater Majok are definitely going at it. Two physical specimens who would fight for every board and block many shots. The Tripoli-based team will be hoping Charles Tabet would get back to form in this game. Under-performing in his opening 2 games, he is a vital piece of this team if they wish to go far.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on who will try and stop Fadi El Khatib. Is it Rustom or Ayoubi ? Or maybe both of them will switch during the game as Fadi drains a lot of energy from his defenders. Mouttahed will also have to keep track of Nadim Souaid. Improving gradually game after game, he is becoming a threat from behind the arc. He is not their only shooter, as Chamoun and Hayk could easily make their shots coming off the bench if you give them space. Elie was perfect from downtown with 3/3.
At the point guard spot, Ralph Akl will have his work cut out for him when he faces Galloway. Taller, faster and more physical, Akl will definitely need help from his teammates and this could leave players open. Double teams would break the defense and players like Dewayne Jackson can surely take advantage.
Even with all these disadvantages, Mouttahed won’t be an easy team to beat . Trying to stop Curry and Spencer from creating their shots and draining them is a tough mission. If you focus much on them you’ll let Rustom slip under your fingers and trust me you won’t want him to get hot.
What’s for sure is that we will watch some beautiful basketball today.
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