By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Tel Aviv is traditionally an uptempo team which has trademark explosions during the game. That’s exactly what happened in the fourth quarter of Game 4 against EA7 Milano, which the Israelis won by 20 (86-66) and got the Final Four ticket with 3-1 wins.
The Italians had a 56-54 lead after the end of the third quarter, but with a 15-3 run which essentially decided the outcome Maccabi answered in the most convincing way. The partial score of the last period was 32-10 in favor of the hosts with Devin Smith (13 p., 9 r., 5 as.) and Alex Tyus (16 p., 9 r.) leading the way. Also Hickman, Blu and Big Sofo scored in double digits. For the guests Keith Langford did the best he could with 28 points on 5/8 threes, but he had little help from his teammates who have seen their season ending without being part of the big event their home city will be hosting on May.
Despite the defeat, coach Banchi wanted to add a positive note: “My goal is that whatever happened in this series will contribute to making us a better team. It was fantastic to see the team come in this building and play with the right faces. Now we have to focus on our goal to stay at this level and be consistent in the future staying at this level”. Coach Blatt, however, can think now of the Final Four: “I told the players I believed in them. We have everything, we have point guards, centers, players without egos. I told them we can get to wherever we want to. We are going to the Final Four as an underdog – a Cinderella team in all parameters. But we have shown this season we can beat all teams. We are not better than them, but in one game we can stand up to every team”.