There is a reason the phrase Every Game Matters is plastered all across EuroLeague platforms.
There is no using the first leg of the season to improve. Teams need to hit the ground running because the race to get to the playoffs is always tight and tricky – and maybe even more so this year.
Mark my words, when Round 34 is upon us, the winner of the opening night game between Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade will be thankful for that extra number in the win column and the loser will wish he had one more W.
But both teams come into their Thursday night showdown with as many questions as answers. Let’s examine some of them.
Who will step into Wade Baldwin’s shoes?
This was not a question Maccabi had ever considered before this week. After a brilliant regular season, Maccabi and Baldwin penned a two-year contract extension prior to last season’s playoffs. The goal was to build the backcourt around him and Lorenzo Brown. And it still is, but Baldwin will miss the game against Partizan due to a back injury and someone will need to make up his production. Baldwin averaged 28 minutes per game last season.