Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Basconia 85-113 in the Euroleague. Lorenzo Brown scored 29 points, Wade Baldwin 26 and Bonzie Colson 14.
Maccabi will open its third playoff series in a row against Panathinaikos in Greece. The Yellows want to return to the Final Four, ten years after the previous time, after losing to Real Madrid and Monaco in the previous two years. The dressing room danced a few minutes after the game. The "Iceman" exploded at exactly the right moment, just a mouthful and whetted the appetite of the club's people. The celebrations seen last night (Tuesday) in the yellows' dressing room at the Belgrade Arena were the closest to championship celebrations. The first to receive the celebrations was Lorenzo Brown, who received the honor of kings for a huge presentation. The second was Wade Baldwin, and finally also coach Oded Ketch. The third was Antonios Cleveland, who scored 11 and Tamir Blatt 10. Lorenzo Brown scored 29 points for Maccabi Tel Aviv in a win over Baskonia. Brown: "I needed this game for my confidence and for my teammates. People don't know how much pain I had in my hip nerve, but now I feel much better. The pain is gone." The celebrations and hugs in the locker room caught Brown with a huge smile. The team was dancing in the dressing room. If he plays like this, he can be the one to bring us to the Final Four, said one of the team members. The one who was finally not registered for last night's game was captain John DiBartholomew, captain of the Israeli national team. The professional team had different plans how to slow down the great scorer of Basksonia. Wade Baldwin started the game as his point guard, Antonios Cleveland continued and did a great job, and James Webb contributed as well. The coach said that: "We have players in the team who need to be 'turned on' to certain players.