The first play-in in the history of the Euroleague did not bring drama, but it was a big celebration for Maccabi fans...
The giant from Tel Aviv in Belgrade won convincingly against Baskonia of our Duško Ivanović (113:85) and deservedly won the playoffs of the strongest basketball competition on the Old Continent.
Oded Kataš's boys will play in the quarter-finals against Panathinaikos, the second-placed team in the league section.
On the other hand, Ivanovic and Baskonia will have another chance to reach the playoffs, as they will face another play-in duel against Virtus, who defeated Anadolu Efes in Istanbul (67:64).
The team from Vitoria will host that game (on Friday), and the winner will play Real Madrid in the playoffs.
Practically from the start of the game in "Belgrade Arena", it was clear that this would be Maccabi's night - the Israeli club led the whole time, at the end of the first quarter it was 28:15, and it reached plus 20 (41:21) in the middle of the second...
Until the end, he only reflected and increased the leadership...
The most effective player in the winning team was Lorenzo Brown with 26 points, Wade Baldwin scored 17 points, and Bonzie Colson scored 14.
At Baskonia, only Cody Miller-McIntyre was in a good mood with 32 points, while Marcus Howard scored 14.
There was a lot more drama in Istanbul, and the Italians knew how to defend the lead they built up early and midway through the last quarter.
Ife Lundberg put an end to the triumph with a three-pointer 11 seconds before the end when he scored for 67:61...
Bonus video:
