By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
This time, Milan closed the game the right way and got the 98-86 win over Maccabi, which gave them a 5-6 record while Maccabi dropped to 3-8.
Zach LeDay with 22 points and seven rebounds stole the show, Nikola Mirotic followed with 20 points, and Niccolo Mannion had 12 points and eight assists.
“Offensively, there was never a problem, but we had to grow as a team defensively”, said LeDay, explaining why this time things were different.
Armoni Brooks also was among the standouts with 16 points and Shavon Shields returned to action with four points.
“Honestly, I think we played a very good game”, said coach Ettore Messina who in the past was very strict towards his players on their bad performances.
“We threw away some games, but we are fine, we got back injured players and this is the most important”, he added.
Jaylen Hoard with 20 points had a good game for Maccabi, Roman Sorkin added 14 and it was not enough.
A different Milan in the end
Maccabi opened the night with a 9-2 lead and everyone suspected that Milan was in trouble.
However, the Italians quickly turned things around and they were up by three (20-17) before newcomer Marial Shayok scored five straight points for Maccabi to close the first period up by two (22-20).
The dogfight continued with both teams walking side by side and the score tied at 35 with less than four minutes left in the first half. In the time left, Milan managed to build a seven-point cushion (50-43) and entered the second half with the advantage.
This momentum was enough for Milan to start the third period with a 10-4 run (60-47) with Armoni Brooks making eight of those points. Maccabi tried to come back, entered the last period trailing by nine (79-70), and started the fourth with a three by John DiBartolomeo (79-73).
Once more, Milan was rattled even when Maccabi made it a four-point game (81-77). The Italians’ answer was a 7-2 run (88-79) and finished the game keeping their distance.
Photo credit: EuroLeague