Olimpia came back strong late in the second quarter but could not sustain its effort in the second half and succumbed 75-58 in Tel Aviv. Maccabi started with a lot of energy, aggressiveness  and sharp execution, took a significant lead in the first quarter and earned a 15-point lead in the second. Olimpia responded and after fixing its defense mounted a sudden comeback after a Melli’s drive and six consecutive points by Devon Hall, a three-point play and a buzzer-beating three, to shrink the deficit at three points. But the second half was terrible. Maccabi controlled the game and Olimpia was deeply affected by turnovers (19 for the game) and ice cold shooting (7-for-34 from three).

“They were driving into the paint and they used very well both Zizic and Reynolds. Of course, they fully deserved the game. When you lose a game playing like this, of course, you cannot complain about a player or some players – Coach Ettore Messina said – You need, as a coach, to take responsibility and understand that if everybody plays poorly, you have to handle this, address the problem and try to fix it. That is what I will try to do. The players tried, we are just in a moment that nothing goes our way. We shot the ball terrible and in addition to this, we turned it over 19 times, which is a terrible combination but again, it is my responsibility to help the players play better, to have the team more ready than it has been today. We will try to make the proper steps”.

Olimpia’s EuroLeague record dropped to 16-8, good enough to clinch a playoff spot for the second consecutive season. “Don’t forget that we are in the playoffs for the second year in a row regardless of the fact that the Russian teams are playing or not, because we were there also in a good position before, with very few games left. We will be ready for the playoffs in whatever position we will be, and we will work for that in the next days,”, Coach Messina added.