Need only one.
You are 2-0 behind in the series of the best of five games.
Looks reasonable in the first game and terrible in the second game.
You have not had any actor in double digits.
You did not win in any quarter.
The difference in the quality index was more than double (125: 52).
Talk about winning the series seems pretty delusional.
But that's not what Maccabi needs to talk about now.
Avi Even should stand in front of his players and say: let's just take one.
Just the next game.
The beauty of the series is that as long as it is not over, then it is not over.
And even if the underdog never came back from 2-0, there is always a first time.
In fact, it does not really matter and it is not the focus.
A true athlete plays to the end as long as he has a chance.
Even if the chance feels slim.
And this is the job of Maccabi Tel Aviv coaches, players and managers. Go back home and win Game 3. And think only about it. Cynicism, fears, backward calculations and forward calculations - leave it to the commentators. And at the end of the series.
Avi Even.
Just look at Game 3, Photo: EPI
what can we do?
Avi Even made one change in the top five - Reynolds instead of Žižić, in response to the Croatian chin's gradual disappearance in recent weeks, and the physical adaptation of the physical Reynolds to face the giants of Real.
But that's not enough.
As written here last month, Maccabi's opening five is its least effective five, even though it has the most talent.
It is not for nothing that Maccabi falls behind, and then the exchange train begins, which settles on a more balanced quintet, with 2-3 sub-players and 2-3 stars.
Cloiaro, John Dee, Sorkin, Jake Cohen, Yiftach Ziv.
Two of them must be on the field at all times.
The unbalanced teams with many stars (or completely starless ones) are the ones that bring down Maccabi.
This is the critical correction that must be made.
Sorkin in action.
Must be more on the field, Photo: IPI
Run against Real?
Anyone who remembers history will remember Fred Deville, who in 1975 decided that Maccabi would run faster than Real in the pavilion.
It ended in a 125: 78 defeat and the dismissal of the coach.
And yet, the new Maccabi wanted at every opportunity.
That’s how she made it to the playoffs, and that’s how she must keep playing.
It is true that Real at home is also dangerous and deadly in the running game, but Maccabi does not get many points in the standing game, due to the weakness of Zizic, who makes the most of his points in the passing game.
If not running, there is no point in holding it on the field.
So she must keep running, certainly in Game 3, but at the same time fix the many problems in defense and rebounding.
Žižić.
Stuck in the back, Photo: IPI
Triple defense.
Real Madrid got back to itself in time.
After gnashing his teeth beyond the arc all season, 18 threes came against Bayern in the last round, 16 against Maccabi in game 1, and another 14 in 40% in game 2.
And Maccabi plays Lydia and allows it to throw many threes because there is a lack of coordination in defending the highs and penetrations.
Actors who guard the scenes should not help.
And yet the number of free threes that Real throws is huge.
Only in luck did not end the 40 difference.
And when they miss, they take half of the balls for a second, third chance, and yesterday there were also 4 in one attack.
Facing these two problems can fit regional protection.
Sometimes a regional one makes it harder for three-pointers, and it certainly improves the help with defense and the rebound (at least it should).
In any case, if the triple defense and rebound are not corrected, the broom will be pulled out early.
Wilbkin tries to stop Randolph.
Better regional, Photo: IPI
Yasu Lasso.
Over the years we have enjoyed criticizing Pablo Lasso for his square game, for the exchanges from home.
Real's recent crisis has already raised assumptions about ending his career at the club.
And here he is, the only one leading 0: 2 in the series that is supposed to be the closest (4 against 5), with the rest of the series in 1: 1.
Here he does it without three rotation players, two of whom have been suspended for a disciplinary offense, not as an exercise, but because it is the right thing to do.
And here he manages to pull out gold from his two seniors, Rudy (four threes in Game 1) and Sergio Yui (who excelled in Game 2).
The superior experience of Lasso and his players against the immature Maccabi and its coach has enormous significance.
And so Avi Even's task is twice as difficult.
And yet, Stone should only think about the next game.
It is an elimination game, but also a game at home in which Maccabi has not lost since it renewed and flourished.
Just one win will completely change the momentum in the series.
Blessed is the believer.
Were we wrong?
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