The belief that the Panathinaikos deserves to qualify for the Final 4 expressed o Ergin Ataman during the departure of the mission to Belgrade in view of the continuation of the playoffs with Maccabi. The Turkish coach ruled out his participation Juancho Hernangomet in the next two games.
“It’s the playoffs and the series is at 1-1. We deserve to go to the Final 4 and we want two more wins. Of course it will be difficult for both teams. Maccabi are a good team and we saw that in the previous two games, so we have to fight and perform well“, he said.
Regarding whether the goal is the two victories in “Hala Pionir” he said: “Let’s go step by step. We will try to win the first match on Tuesday, but it doesn’t matter who we get. In the end the 3 wins will send you to the Final 4».
Regarding the improved face of the team in Game 2 he emphasized: “After the first game we analyzed our mistakes and played with more attention especially in attack, because when we make mistakes Maccabi surprises and has a very transitional game and it is very important. Defensively in the first match we made a lot of mistakes, in the second we were much better and of course Maccabi so far in the Euroleague is the best team in offensive rebounds and we had a problem in defense with the rebounds, so we have to push and have the same quality in rebounds like that and that will be the key to games».
When asked if the players with the personality that Panathinaikos has can judge the series, he answered: “We have many players with character and with great quality and experience, but the reality is that Maccabi also have players with character and quality, like Lorenzo Brown, Baldwin, Nimbo, so Maccabi is a good team».
Regarding Huacho’s condition, he simply stated that “… he will not play in these two matches“, while on whether Baldwin’s looming absence for Maccabi changes his plans, he noted: “Baldwin is a very good player. He is one of the best scorers in the Euroleague. Of course we will change. We’ll see if he plays or not. But there are other players like DiBartolomeo, Cleveland, who played a very good match in the 2nd, but if he plays we will change our strategy».
Source: Sport Fm
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