Moshe Barda, ONE courier to Madrid
Scotty Wilbkin (Reuben Schwartz)
After absorbing 84:74 in the first game of the Euroleague playoff series against Real Madrid, Maccabi Tel Aviv is currently facing Wizink Center against the Blancos knowing that another loss and relegation from Europe will be significant, but winning the current game and keeping home twice next week will be equal to a prestigious Final Four.
In the first game, the Blancos dominated throughout the match and mainly thanks to an excellent day out of the arc, this time the Yellows from Tel Aviv hope to show improved defensive ability and steal the home team, which will of course ensure a fourth game in the quarterfinals, which Maccabi came from fifth and Real from fourth.
In terms of past encounters – in all the last five encounters between the teams, it was the host that came out on top, this time the Israeli champion hopes to put an end to the streak and leave Madrid with a prestigious victory ahead of returning to the tumultuous Menora Mivtachim Hall next week. The third game will be held on Tuesday and if there is a need for game number 4 it will take place on Thursday.
First quarter: 26:35 to Real Madrid
Real Madrid Quintet: Nigel William Goss, Fabian Kozer, Adam Anga, Gershon Yavosla and Walter Tavares.
Maccabi Tel Aviv quintet: Keenan Evans, Scotty Wilbkin, James Nanley, Derrick Williams and Jaylen Reynolds.
Walter Tavares was the first to score in the match, but Scotty Wilbkin responded with an excellent three from the other side and raised the Blues-Yellows to 2-3. Keenan Evans completed a three-point move after a basket and an offense, but the Blancos went back to 6-7. Adam Anga stitched a big three and set up 8:10 before Wilbkin equalized with a layup. The Spaniards had already risen to 11:16, but another three by Wilbkin, Avi Even’s man, narrowed the gap to two. Evans stitched a three and completed a four-point move from the line en route to a 16:18 blue-yellow. The host responded with a 0: 8 run and went up to 18:24. Despite Ante Zizic’s four points, the Blancos went up to 22:29 and continued to dominate the road to 26:35 at the end of the quarter.
Second quarter: 37:56 to Real Madrid
The second quarter also opened at a high pace and after 2:30 minutes each team scored 7 points. Avi Even’s yellow-blues had a hard time keeping up and Real ran away and increased the difference to 15 points when they set 33:48 after a 0: 6 run. The trend continued and towards the end of the quarter the Blancos had already reached 20 points. Canan Evans still had a chance to close the gap to 16, but he missed a free throw with the buzzer and Maccabi went down to the half-time break 56:37 behind. A lag from it will be very difficult for her to get back.
