Red Star – Maccabi Tel Aviv 84-77: madness for the octave in Belgrade

The Red Star is “here” in the race of eight! Dejan Radonjic’s side capitalized on the home side’s strength and defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv (84-77) for the second time this year. Most important of all? He’s now in check for a postseason spot, stronger than he’s ever been in the season.

So much so that he’s going through a period of great form (has four wins in a row) as well as because in any tie it has the benefit of involving the “people’s team” since they have 2/2 against.

The race

The hosts impressed in the first ten minutes with excellent psychology, which was reflected in the percentage of two points (8/12) and the overall superiority in rebounds (14 to 3). Somehow the +14 (24-10 in 10′) came quite naturally, with Avi Even trying everything to change the tempo of the match but not succeeding – apart from short breaks. The difference reached +16 (35-19 in 15′) for Dejan Radonic’s team before there was a really good five minutes for the visitors. How well? This is also shown by the fact that they made up the difference at half time (42:39) with Scotty Wilbekin and James Nanali having 21/39 Maccabi points.

At the beginning of the third period, the visitors brought the game level (42:42 in 21′), but the Red Stars reacted promptly. Within three minutes, the Red-Whites found an aggressive rhythm again and restored +11 (55-44 in 24′), with Nate Walters being the added factor in attack.

Gradually, however, Maccabi Tel Aviv seemed more and more able to get on the nerves of the hosts. Simply because James Nanali fired shot after shot. That’s why -12 (72-60 in 34′) became -4 (74-70 in 37′). Against him, however, he had a great team that would not be discouraged and cleared the game with two or three good defenses to achieve four straight wins in the EuroLeague.

THE REFEREES: Ritzik-Pereth-Perandi.

THE TEN MINUTES: 24-10, 42-39, 66-60, 84-77.

Red Star (Radonic): Lazarevic 2, Walters 12 (2), Davidovic 5 (1), Mitrovic 6 (6 rebounds), Lazic 3 (1/6 shot), Kalinic 15 (5/7 two points, 1/4 three points, 2/3 shots, 5 rebounds, 5 assists), Dobrich 10 (2), Hollins 11 (1), Ivanovic 7 (2/6 three points), White 5 (1/4 three points), Kuzmic 8 (4/6 two points, 8 rebounds) ).

MACABI TEL AVIV (Neven): Wilbekin 14 (4/6 two points, 1/4 three points, 3/4 shots, 4 assists, 4 errors), Evans 4, Caleiro, Williams 13 (3/5 three points, 4 rebounds), Reynolds 4 (4 rebounds, 3 errors), Dibartolomeo 6 (1), Thomas 2 (5 rebounds), Nanali 24 (3/4 two points, 4/9 three points, 6/6 shots, 4 assists, 2 steals), Zizic 10 (5/10 two points, 6 rebounds).

Group Stats – Red Star: 19/36 two points, 11/35 three points, 13/16 shots, 42 rebounds (24 defensive + 18 offensive), 20 assists, 6 steals, 11 errors, 1 block.

Group Stats – Maccabi Tel Aviv: 19/34 two points, 9/23 three points, 12/15 shots, 26 rebounds (22 defense + 4 offense), 14 assists, 7 steals, 11 errors, 2 blocks.

The next commitments of the two teams: Next week, Red Star will be tested at the Barcelona headquarters (18/3, 22:00), unlike Maccabi Tel Aviv, which is on hiatus.