Maccabi Tel Aviv – Armani Milano 75-58: The national team embraced qualification while helping Olympiakos

Anyone who has written off Maccabi, have it reviewed right away. The people’s team defeated Armani Milano 75-58 in Tel Aviv and seems favored by the final elimination of the three Russian teams not only to move into the privileged octave, but also to assert themselves in the remaining games (Real inside, Panathinaikos outside ) to claim , Villeurbanne in , Barcelona out , Fenerbahce in) the highest possible finish in the regular season final standings.

On the 12th-11th now, the Israelis have a chance to hope they catch the playoff train and don’t trash a season of ups and downs and back-to-back obstacles. On the other hand, the team from Messina fell to 16-8, which only played basketball in the second ten minutes and did not meet the requirements of the game. With such an image, Armani is only relying on the theoretically good program she has to finish third without luck in her hands.

Jalen Reynolds was both respectable and impressive with 14 points from 7/10 two points, while James Nanali made the difference when Maccabi needed him. With 21% on the three (7/34) and only 9 assists with 19 errors, the guests had no chance of the double in a very arrhythmic offensive game with minimal outbursts. It makes sense to spend the double – Nicolo Meli’s double (10 points, 12 rebounds).

See here how the ranking list is formed along with the program until the end of the regular event period.

The race

With Maccabi, who played 15 minutes, a comfortable dominance seemed possible. The excellent ball control, the attacks from the outside in and the excellent cooperation of the hosts over the basket ensured a 16-point lead (35:19), which put Milan under pressure and caused frenetic cheers in the stands thanks to the right. .

The continuation was of course different as Ettore Messina’s team improved their response in defense and attack and got the defensive rebounds, an important element in controlling the rhythm. In fact, thanks to the good percentage across the line, he managed to enter the second half with more confidence after completing Hall’s buzzer-beater on the exhale and the -3 (40-37) that completed the sub 5-18.

Under the new conditions, the game became significantly more closed. Prices fell and defenses clearly dominated. However, Maccabi adjusted, unlike Milan, who were once again left behind. Yes, Wilbekin didn’t help, but Nanali did and after 49:41 the hosts went to 56:46 and 62:48 (32nd). One would expect Milan to react and counter through their defense.

In vain Messina gave instructions and made changes. His players couldn’t get into the rhythm and fell into the trap again, so that they only softened the bad impressions after 70:51. However, they did not even manage to save the difference.

THE REFEREES: Pukl, Hordov, Rakis

THE TEN MINUTES: 23-11, 40-37, 56-46, 75-58

MACABI TEL AVIV (Eve): Nanali 14 (2/5 three points), Ziv 6 (5 assists), Reynolds 14 (7/10 two points, 4 rebounds), Thomas 7 (1 three points, 5 rebounds), Caleiro 2, Williams 8 (1 three points ). , 6 rebounds, 3 steals), Zizic 12 (7 rebounds), Wilbekin 3 (0/4 two points, 1/5 three points, 6 rebounds), Evans 9 (1/2 three points, 3 assists)

ARMANI MILAN (Messina): Ritchie 2 (3 rebounds), Hall 11 (2/9 threes, 4 rebounds), Delaney 6 (1/7 threes), Daniels 3 (1/2 threes), Hines 5 (5 rebounds), Meli 10 (12 rebounds) , Tarzuski, Shields 9 (1/7 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Bentley 5 (1/2 3-pointers), Datome, Grant 4, Rodriguez 3

Maccabi Tel Aviv team statistics: 25/46 two points, 6/17 three points, 7/9 shots, 35 rebounds (28 defensive + 7 offensive), 17 assists, 9 steals, 11 errors, 4 blocks

Armani Milano team statistics: 15/27 two points, 7/34 three points, 7/9 shots, 36 rebounds (25 defense + 11 offense), 9 assists, 7 steals, 19 errors, 4 blocks

The next games of the two teams: In the 32nd game, Maccabi hosts Real Madrid in Tel Aviv (24/3, 21:05 CET), while Armani Milano plays Anadolu Efes (24/3, 19:30 CET) away.