By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Olimpia Milano stayed undefeated in EuroLeague and handed Maccabi Tel Aviv its second loss in a row by beginning the double-game week with a 83 – 72 win over the Yellows.
Milano led from nearly start to finish and closed halftime up 52 – 30. Maccabi improved its defense in the second half to cut this margin but never managed to reduce its deficit below double figures, save for the very last minutes.
Devon Hall (17 points) and Dinos Mitoglou (16 points, six rebounds) had their best performances yet with the jersey of Milano. The latter earned a special mention by Ettore Messina in the post-game presser for “stepping up in such an important game.”
“We started the game very strongly. We were very ready mentally and physically, very prepared,” Mitoglou said. “We maintained a very great first half. We need to continue like this. In the second half, we relaxed a little bit, but we maintained the difference and are happy about it. We won; we have a great good rhythm and need to maintain this. I am very happy for it.”
Malcolm Delaney scored all of his 10 points in the first half where Milano absolutely dominated on both ends. Maccabi turned the tables to win the third period 11 – 19 but their opponents didn’t allow them to have any serious comeback hopes.
“I think Malcolm [Delaney] did a great job on Wilbekin, with the help of his teammates,” Messina mentioned.
Messina’s message to Kyle Hines
Kyle Hines talked to Eurohoops about the possibility that this season will be the last of his grand career. It prompted a swift reaction by his coach.
After EuroLeague legend Kyle Hines told Eurohoops that this might be the last season of his career, his coach Ettore Messina sent him one very simple message.
"Let's not joke" pic.twitter.com/vpujKdjZZj
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 12, 2021
“At halftime, we discussed that we needed to fight better and harder, and this is what happened,” Maccabi coach Giannis Sfairopoulos said. “I like how we reacted but only this, because we need to start the game as we fought in the second half. It is important that we reacted in the middle of the game because it is not easy.”
Derrick Williams (19 points), James Nunnally (16 points, seven rebounds, five assists) and Jalen Reynolds (14 points) were the top contributors for Maccabi. The Israeli side didn’t get much help from star Scottie Wilbekin who struggled against Milano’s defense and finished with eight points on 2-11 shots.
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball