The first game has its own rules. The pressure is on Maccabi Tel Aviv, the host team that does not enjoy the home advantage and the game is taking place in Belgrade without an audience, which adds to the existing pressure anyway from the very desire to start the Euroleague on the right foot.
There is no doubt that Willerbaan is not the lions of the factory, but the game developed in a tight way. The first half was characterized by a kind of lack of defense on both sides, turnovers with a high score and very high percentages of the two and especially in the color, this is how it continued in the third quarter and deep into the fourth, where Maccabi’s advantages were revealed and this is what ensured the victory in the end. As mentioned, the game was characterized by both teams without paint protection, high percentages to 2 and many easy dunks.
In two words – Tamir Blatt, this game belongs to him, apparently Maccabi didn’t just insist on him in the summer, they knew why. Tammir has a long and good relationship with Oded Ketch and sees it in the confidence that he plays, in his understanding of the game, in his ability to direct his dedication to the right people at the right times and in the right places. On the part of Oded Ketch, the peace of mind that a coach of the type that Tamir brings is worth victories and this is the first check paid today from Tamir’s hands.
In my opinion, at the end of the game, the advantages of the training team led by Ketch over the coach and the French team were also revealed. They know what to do defensively, they make stops in the right places, and they execute offensively, especially the players who know what money time is in the Euroleague like DiBartholomew and Blatt, with the main beneficiary of this being the new acquisition that arrived across the road, Jaylen Hurd. As mentioned, Maccabi also won thanks to Ketch’s experience on the lines compared to Pierik Popa, the coach opposite.
In conclusion, Maccabi’s victory tonight is important, to start the Euroleague on the right foot, in a home game that is “supposedly” a must for the Israeli champion at the beginning of this long road of the Euroleague. The draw in the next round that invites Maccabi to a difficult away game in Monaco (which defeated Milan at home) only emphasizes the importance of today’s victory. Monaco away is another opera, although as far as I understand Nick Clathes, the first center back will not play. Of course, a victory over the team from the principalities could already be a statement of intent.
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