Maccabi v Real Madrid: a win away from the Final Four
Our team is 2-0 up and will be aiming to clinch victory in Game 3 in Tel Aviv to put the series beyond the hosts (8:15 CET).
Tonight sees Real Madrid face Game 3 of the EuroLeague playoff against Maccabi. Following on from last week's two wins at the WiZink Center, the team travels to Israel looking to seal a spot in what would be the club's eighth Final Four appearance in the last 11 editions and the fourth in the last five.
This is the only one of the four series that can be decided after Game 3. Real Madrid has impressed to put itself in this position and now has three opportunities to finish the job after snapping the Israeli side's winning streak as the hosts came into the playoffs on the back of six straight wins. However, it won't be an easy task. Maccabi, who have no margin for error, will try keep their hopes alive in the series with the backing of their fans on a floor where they are unbeaten this year. Pablo Laso's charges came mighty close to downing Maccabi on their floor during the Regular Season and had the final shot to have won the game. The last time the madridistas won on Maccabi's court was back in 2020 in a 77-81 triumph.
This is the only one of the four series that can be decided after Game 3. Real Madrid has impressed to put itself in this position and now has three opportunities to finish the job after snapping the Israeli side's winning streak as the hosts came into the playoffs on the back of six straight wins. However, it won't be an easy task. Maccabi, who have no margin for error, will try keep their hopes alive in the series with the backing of their fans on a floor where they are unbeaten this year. Pablo Laso's charges came mighty close to downing Maccabi on their floor during the Regular Season and had the final shot to have won the game. The last time the madridistas won on Maccabi's court was back in 2020 in a 77-81 triumph.
Real Madrid is the highest-scoring team in the playoffs, netting an average of 89.5 points, which is 10 more than the team's tally in the Regular Season. In defense, the Whites have limited Maccabi to an average of 70 points in the sides' first two meetings. The difference with the Israelis in the PIR stakes 108.5 to 64 reflects the madridistas' superiority so far in the series. Our team claimed a 10-point win in the first bout 84-74 and secured a 29-point triumph in Game 2 95-66.
Deck returns
Laso and his troops, incluiding Deck, who has travelled with the team after having recovered from COVID-19, will be aiming to follow the path they laid last week. The madridistas managed to reduce the influence of Wilbekin and shackle scorers Evans, Nunnally on the outside and Zizic, Williams and Reynolds on the inside in what was a great team effort. Sorkin has stepped up to the plate as the main man on the inside. In addition, eight madridistas have a PIR of between 8 and 15, with Poirier, who was named Playoffs Game 2 MVP, leading the way. Madrid can tonight book its ticket for Belgrade in what would be a fourth Final Four appearance in the last five editions.
Deck returns
Laso and his troops, incluiding Deck, who has travelled with the team after having recovered from COVID-19, will be aiming to follow the path they laid last week. The madridistas managed to reduce the influence of Wilbekin and shackle scorers Evans, Nunnally on the outside and Zizic, Williams and Reynolds on the inside in what was a great team effort. Sorkin has stepped up to the plate as the main man on the inside. In addition, eight madridistas have a PIR of between 8 and 15, with Poirier, who was named Playoffs Game 2 MVP, leading the way. Madrid can tonight book its ticket for Belgrade in what would be a fourth Final Four appearance in the last five editions.