Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv moving within a single victory of its first Final Four in a decade has been getting to that position without its top-rated player. Tamir Blatt and Antonius Cleveland have everything to do with that success.

Without Baldwin, Maccabi relied on Blatt and Cleveland

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv moving within a single victory of its first Final Four in a decade has been getting to that position without its top-rated player.

[Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), a strong All-EuroLeague First Team candidate, led Maccabi in scoring and PIR during the regular season and was second on the team in assists and steals. He had 26 points and 5 assists in the team's Play-In Showdown blowout win over Baskonia. And in the series opener against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, [an 87-91 road win for Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/313/), he matched the team's best PIR with 18.

Baldwin did not finish Game 1, however, due to a calf injury he suffered with 8 minutes left and his team down by a bucket on the scoreboard. He has not been on court since then, although Maccabi is hoping he'll be healthy for Game 4 on Thursday.

The backcourt mainstay for Maccabi has been his fellow starter, [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/), who is leading the team's playoff effort with 16.7 points, 5.7 assists and a PIR of 17.7 while logging almost 32 minutes per game

In Baldwin's absence, though, Maccabi has found solutions in a duo of guards who bring different strengths to the task of matching up with the talented and versatile Panathinaikos backcourt.

[Antonius Cleveland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/antonius-cleveland/012744/) is the designated defender in Baldwin's absence, helping to make life difficult for Panathinaikos scorers Kendrick Nunn and Kostas Sloukas while also attacking the rim. He's averaging almost 7 minutes more in the playoffs, with 2.1 extra points and 1.0 more rebounds per game than he had in the regular season.

[Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/), even if his shooting and scoring has fallen off relative to the regular season, is putting up 5.3 assists as compared  to 4.7 until now. His 6 assists in Game 3 helped Maccabi reach a total of 23, which is the club record in a playoff game.

Perfect connection Blatt-Cleveland for a big alleyoop slam!

Great Blatt-Cleveland alleyoop connection! Motorola Magic Moment

Although Maccabi struggled [in Game 2 as Panathinaikos won at home 95-79](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/317/) behind a career-high 29 points from Sloukas, Game 3 was a different story. It marked just the second time in his 45 playoff games to date that Sloukas played more than 10 minutes and was held scoreless. After his team trailed by as many as 18 points in the second half, Nunn led a late charge for Panathinaikos and finished with 25 points, but [Maccabi held onto win 85-83](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/321/).

Both Cleveland and Blatt were in and out throughout the fourth quarter as Maccabi head coach Oded Kattash looked for solutions. His decision to keep Blatt on court for the game's last 3 minutes when defense was called for drew a question at the post-game press conference that Kattash answered eloquently.

"First of all, we needed Tamir (on the court) as another ball handler and somebody who can make decisions," Kattash said. "And I am a coach who believes in his players. I don't judge them based on one game or whether the shots go in or out. I trust Tamir. As a team, we trust Tamir. It doesn't interest me so much of his shots go in or not. Tamir was brilliant for us today. He was unfazed by their aggressiveness and was key in starting our offense. A lot of our points in transition came through his hands. And the effort that our \[point\] guards, Tamir and Lorenzo, are making is immense, as is the aggressiveness that they are feeling from the PAO guards."

Indeed, through three playoff games, Maccabi's average of just 8.0 turnovers is not only the best of any team in the playoffs. It is 3.0 fewer than Panathinaikos is committing and 4.3 fewer than Maccabi's average during the season.

In a series that is being decided by the smallest details, the turnover difference in Maccabi's favor as well as it's 76.9% to 63.6% edge in free throw shooting, to which Blatt and Cleveland have contributed by going a combined 5-for-5 at the foul line, is enough to make the difference – even in the absence of a superstar.

Game News

Even without the team's biggest star of the regular season, Maccabi is ahead in its playoff series with Panathinaikos.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-04-30T17:00:00.000Z)

Tomas Satoransky was one of Barça Basket's stars on the night as the Spanish side beat Olympiacos BC 80-82 in Game 3 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Playoffs.

Tomas Satoransky led Barcelona's never-say-die attitude in Game 3

FC Barcelona trailed for the large part of its Game 3 contest at Olympiacos Piraeus, but it managed to force overtime and get [a good-as-gold road win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/jabari-parker-lifts-barcelona-past-olympiacos-in-game-3-ot-win-80-82/) to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Playmaker [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) was the perfect example of Barca's resilience.

Above all, Barca never gave up when things looked like they could get out of control. Late in the fourth quarter and in the space of just 20 seconds, [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) beat the shot clock with a 10-meter prayer, then [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) had one of the biggest blocks of the current Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, allowing [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) to score at the other end, giving Olympiacos a 69-63 margin with 2 minutes left in regulation time.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">AMUUUUUNT!!! <a href="https://t.co/Hoog9w8a0e">pic.twitter.com/Hoog9w8a0e</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1785413813237325879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Most teams would have considered it a done deal, but Barca refused to roll over. Team captain [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/) ignited his team's comeback with back-to-back three-pointers, his first makes of the game, before [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) took over with a wild reverse layup that tied the game, 71-71, with 7.6 seconds remaining in regulation. Abrines provided the key defensive stop, forcing Williams-Goss to take an off-balance shot, which he missed.

### Satoransky saw Barcelona home

Once in overtime, Satoransky stepped up to make sure his team had a chance to win the game down the stretch. The 32-year-old scored in penetration and buried a critical three-pointer from the left corner to even the score at 80-80 with 36.6 seconds remaining. He went on to pick a non-shooting foul and played great one-on-one defense on Williams-Goss, with the Olympiacos guard having to take a very uncomfortable shot at the shot-clock buzzer.

FC Barcelona playmaker Tomas Satoransky came off the bench in Game 3 and had an all-around performance. He finished the game with 13 points on 2 of 3 two-pointers and 3 of 4 three-pointers, adding 4 rebounds, 5 assists and just one turnover for a team-high PIR of 20.

Satoransky makes things happen in Game 3

Satoransky's defensive heroics allowed Barca to get the ball back and [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) then sealed the outcome from the foul line with just 0.5 seconds left. Barca won 80-82, regaining home-court advantage in the series.

"Well, I'm obviously proud of my team that we stayed in a game mentally. It was a very difficult game," Satoransky told EuroLeague TV after the game. "We were up in a lot of moments of the game, they came back with their hustle again. It looked like we lost the game. But we stayed calm and that's what it's all about in away games, you know: stay in the game and think about the next play. That's what we did today. And we hit some huge shots at the end."

FC Barcelona guard Tomas Satoransky spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team's Game 3 win at Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

Tomas Satoransky, Barcelona: 'I'm proud of my team'

"We played a very difficult game. You know how difficult it is to play on this court, and they played a very, very physical game," center Jan Vesely stated, also to EuroLeague TV. "We believed until the end and stayed together and executed what we prepared."

Satoransky came off the bench in Game 3 and had an impressive all-around performance. He finished the game with 13 points on 2-for-3 two-pointers and 3-for-4 three-point shooting, adding 4 rebounds, 5 assists and just 1 turnover for a team-high PIR of 20. Vesely led all Barca scorers with 16 points. Barca's Czech connection was crucial in grabbing the win in Game 3.

The guests finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds, 26 assists and just 12 turnovers, hitting 11 of 25 shots from downtown (44% 3FG).

"Nothing is done yet," Satoransky added. "We have to get prepared for Game 4, which is going to be, I'm expecting, the same tough game like today."

FC Barcelona's Tomas Satoransky in action against Olympiacos Piraeus in Game 3 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

The Czech guard had a very impressive night as the Blaugrana defeated Olympiacos

Olympiacos Piraeus v FC Barcelona (2024-04-30T18:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos BC duo Filip Petrusev and Moses Wright both impressed in Game 3 against Barça Basket, but they ended up tasting defeat as the visitors won 80-82.

Filip Petrusev, Moses Wright gave their all for Olympiacos in Game 3 defeat

On a night when Olympiacos Piraeus’s bench players outscored the starters 54-26, the Greek side still came up short to FC Barcelona as [it lost 80-82 in overtime in Game 3](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/jabari-parker-lifts-barcelona-past-olympiacos-in-game-3-ot-win-80-82/) of their best-of-five series in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

Big men [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) and [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) were the two main contributors off the bench for the Reds, combining for 34 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. For Petrusev, he had his best scoring night since joining Olympiacos in a mid-season transfer, netting 18 points, while Wright’s energy certainly made up for the absence of [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/), who didn’t see a second on the floor.

Filip Petrusev and Moses Wright combined for 34 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks as Olympiacos Piraeus fell 80-82 in overtime to FC Barcelona in Game 3 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

Petrusev, Wright impressed in Game 3 vs. Barcelona

### A notable impact

The majority of Wright’s points came in a fruitful second quarter as he scored 11 points to help Olympiacos turn a 13-13 score at the end of the first period into a 37-32 lead at the break. Petrusev, meanwhile, had 8 points at halftime. Olympiacos was not getting much out of its starters, so the impact of Petrusev and Wright was definitely a big plus.

Both Wright and Petrusev got limited game time in the third, albeit the American was able to tack on two more points to his tally, but they were at the fore of everything good for the Reds in the fourth as Barcelona mounted a comeback on the back of impressive three-point shooting. In overtime, however, things didn’t quite go to plan for the two bench players as their impact faded and Barcelona managed to secure an 80-82 win after [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) went 2 for 3 from the line with 0.5 seconds to go.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The game stats 📊 | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OLYBAR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYBAR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/IfjyWCdj3P">pic.twitter.com/IfjyWCdj3P</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1785413781608079382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There was a feeling of frustration and disappointment for everyone at Olympiacos after Game 3, but if Petrusev and Wright can perform to a similar level in Game 4 on Thursday – and the starters can play to their usual standards – we might be heading back to Barcelona for a do-or-die Game 5 next week.

Moses Wright dunks for Olympiacos Piraeus in its Game 3 defeat to FC Barcelona in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

The two bench players made a huge impact in the game, but it wasn’t enough

Barça Basket went 8 for 14 on three-pointers in the second half against Olympiacos BC in Game 3 after shooting 3 for 11 through the first 20 minutes.

Barcelona caught fire from deep to turn the tide against Olympiacos

It’s advantage FC Barcelona in its series against Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs. It went right down until the final seconds of overtime, but [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) kept his cool from the line to [seal an 80-82 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/jabari-parker-lifts-barcelona-past-olympiacos-in-game-3-ot-win-80-82/) and give Barcelona a 2-1 lead in the series.

Although Olympiacos held a 37-32 advantage at halftime, it could have been worse were it not for [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/)’s three-pointer with 4 seconds to go before the break. That was just the third made triple of the first half for the visitors, who went 3 for 11 from long range through the first 20 minutes.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">VISCA EL BARÇA 💛❤️ <a href="https://t.co/UFlw9xbHko">pic.twitter.com/UFlw9xbHko</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1785421449114566916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Going to another level after halftime

The halftime interval did wonders for Barcelona, though, as it flipped the switch in the opening stages of the third quarter. Roger Grimau would see his men hit 3 three-pointers in quick succession – the first from [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/), then the next from [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) and the last from Parker – as Barcelona took a 40-41 advantage, its first lead since early in the second quarter.

In fact, after halftime, Barcelona would go 8 for 14 from three-point land, the most crucial of which was Satoransky’s triple with 36 seconds to go in overtime as the *Blaugrana* tied the game at 80-80. Then, in the final seconds of the extra period, Parker became the hero by going 2 for 3 from the charity stripe with 0.5 seconds remaining to decide the game.

The Reds wish to welcome back Kostas Papanikolaou after he missed the opening encounters with a fever and long for Isaiah Canaan to resume his scoring exploits, whereas Barça seek improved guard play and a repeat performance from Jabari Parker following his 4-for-7 three-point shooting.

Olympiacos Piraeus-FC Barcelona  | Playoffs Game 3 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

“I think that this is a win of belief and the whole team pushing when things are really difficult,” Coach Grimau said to EuroLeague TV afterward. “Finding those spot-ups and making hard threes, defense trying to close the boards. It’s a really good team win.”

Barcelona can now look ahead to Thursday’s Game 4 knowing that it needs just one more win to secure its fourth successive passage to the Final Four.

FC Barcelona's Alex Abrines celebrates a made shot during his team's Game 3 win at Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

The visitors made up for a poor first half from three-point range by being lights out the rest of the way

Barça Basket beat Olympiacos BC 80-82 in Game 3 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Playoffs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Jabari Parker lifts Barcelona past Olympiacos in Game 3 OT win, 80-82

In an overtime thriller that literally went down to the final second, FC Barcelona beat Olympiacos Piraeus 80-82 in Game 3 of their best-of-five series at Peace and Friendship Stadium on Tuesday. Barca has a 2-1 lead after three games and regained home-court advantage in the series. 

Jabari Parker was the hero on the night, hitting the go-ahead free throws with 0.5 seconds remaining. Jan Vesely led the winners with 16 points. Parker, Tomas Satoransky and Willy Hernangomez each added 13 points, while Nico Laprovittola had 12 for Barca. Filip Petrusev paced Olympiacos with a season-high 18 points. Moses Wright added 16 while Thomas Walkup had 10 for the Reds.

Game Videos

### A low-scoring start

Vesely got Barca going with a mid-range jumper that Thomas Walkup matched at the other end. Alec Peters scored down low for a 4-2 Olympiacos lead. Laprovittola stepped up with consecutive baskets, then Vesely capped a 0-6 run that restored a 4-8 Barca margin. Filip Petrusev stepped up with a power layup that Peters followed with a three-pointer that made the Reds regain a 9-8 lead. Parker answered from downtown but Moustapha Fall hit a jump hook and fed Petrusev for a dunk. Parker buried a jump hook that tied the game, 13-13, at the end of the first quarter.

### Petrusev, Wright put Olympiacos ahead

Petrusev matched Hernangomez's floater with a layup early in the second quarter. Satoransky struck from downtown and followed Shaquielle McKissic's three-point play with a layup, good for an 18-20 Barca lead. Wright ignited the crowd with a dunk, then Giannoulis Larentzakis nailed a corner triple for a 23-20 Olympiacos lead. Oscar da Silva scored around the basket and Hernangomez improved Wright's tip-in with a three-point play. Petrusev scored again and Wright's dunk made Barca stop the game at 32-25. Vesely downed a mid-range shot and Dario Brizuela added a layup, but Wright and an unstoppable Petrusev kept Olympiacos fully in charge, 37-32, at halftime.

### A flurry of three-pointers!

Satoransky struck from beyond the arc immediately after the break. He soon found Laprovittola for a three-pointer that put Barca in charge, 37-38. Walkup and Parker joined the three-point shootout, then Kalinic hit a jumper for a 40-43 score. Fall scored down low and Walkup bettered Vesely's layup with a triple for a 45-45 tie. Peters found space for an uncontested three-pointer, Vesely dunked and Laprovittola buried one from downtown for a 48-50 Barca lead. Nigel Williams-Goss found his first point and fed Wright for an alley-oop dunk. Hernangomez answered with 4 quick points and Parker banked in a triple, good for a 51-57 Barca lead after 30 minutes.

### Down to the wire!

Williams-Goss hit a jumper early in the fourth quarter and McKissic added a coast-to-coast layup for a 55-57 Olympiacos deficit. Hernangomez rescued Barca with a power layup and matched Petrusev's floater with a big basket. Williams-Goss buried a one-handed floater in the lane and Petrusev tied it at 61-61 with under 6 minutes left. Wright split free throws and matched Vesely's fadeaway jumper with a jump hook for a 64-63 score. Petrusev beat the buzzer with a 10-meter prayer, Wright stopped Vesely with a huge block and Williams-Goss boosted the Reds' lead to 69-63. Abrines sank a triple and bettered Walkup's mid-range jumper with another bomb from downtown to keep Barca within 71-69. Laprovittola tied the game with a reverse layup with 7.6 seconds remaining in regulation. Williams-Goss missed a mid-range shot at the buzzer.

### Parker wins it!

Vesely buried a jumper early in overtime, which Williams-Goss erased with a one-handed shot in the lane. Satoransky scored in penetration for a 73-75 Barca edge. McKissic sank a three-pointer and Fall added a tip-in to restore a 78-75 Olympiacos lead. Vesely stepped up with an alley-oop dunk that Fall matched with another tip-in. Satoransky nailed a corner triple that tied it again, 80-80, with 36.6 seconds remaining. Williams-Goss missed from downtown and Parker drew a foul with 0.5 seconds left. He made a pair of free throws, missing the third deliberately to run the game clock down and sealing Barca's dramatic win.

Nicolas Laprovittola and Tomas Satoransky come together during FC Barcelona's win at Olympiacos Piraeus in Game 3 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

The contest was just the 13th playoff game since 2005 to go to overtime

Despite suffering a heart-stopping defeat against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, going down 2-1 in the best-of-five series, the game still left plenty of positives for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to believe a Final Four berth can still be sealed. 

Positives remain for Panathinaikos despite defeat 

Despite suffering a heart-stopping defeat against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, going down 2-1 in the best-of-five series, the game still left plenty of positives for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to believe a Final Four berth can still be sealed.

The Greek team was beaten, 85-83, in the final seconds as Maccabi guard Lorenzo Brown was fouled by Jerian Grant in the act of shooting and broke a tie by sinking both free throws before Kendrick Nunn hit the rim with an attempted game-winner on the final buzzer.

Although the narrow nature of the outcome made it a frustrating finale for the Greens, the truth is that Panathinaikos was fortunate to even be in contention when crunch came around, because for 35 minutes this was a one-sided mauling.

Maccabi scored the first 7 points of the game inside 70 seconds and didn’t look back, holding a series of double-digit advantages and a maximum lead of 18 points midway through the third quarter, with Panathinaikos rarely looking like a team capable of winning the game.

And therein lies the best news to emerge from the night for the Greek team: despite playing badly, Ergin Ataman’s men still nearly won.

And that’s the opinion of Ataman himself, who pulled no punches as he offered a brief assessment of the action, saying: “We didn’t play good basketball tonight, especially in the first half. We need to start better. I was surprised by the first half.”

Even when the Greens did get themselves in contention to win, Ataman was dissatisfied with how they handled the crucial final moments, saying: “We didn’t take the jump ball, we made a stupid foul on the last 2 seconds, and we missed a game-winning shot.”

Despite all those negatives, however, Panathinaikos nearly did grab an unlikely win, mainly because of superb fourth-quarter performances from big man Mathias Lessort and backcourt sniper Nunn.

Ergin Ataman: 'We didn't play good basketball tonight'

With Nunn netting 13 points while Lessort contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 fouls drawn in the final frame, the Greens were able to turn a series of 11-point deficits into an 83-83 tie with 40 seconds remaining – the first time the scoreboard had been level since the opening tip.

It could have been even better for Panathinaikos if Lessort hadn’t missed one of his free throws when he tied the game, or if Lessort had then won his jump ball with Josh Nebo, or if Grant hadn’t fouled Brown in the act of shooting, or if Nunn had made his attempted game-winning three on the buzzer.

It could have been better if Kostas Sloukas had scored any points (he was 0-of-3 from the field), if Marius Grigonis had scored more than 2, if Grant had scored more than 6, if Nunn had scored more than 4 of his 13 two-point attempts, if the team hadn’t missed 8 free throws, if Maccabi had been forced into more than 7 turnovers, if Josh Nebo hadn’t been allowed to score 10 of his 13 two-point attempts.

Pretty much everything could have been better about this performance by Panathinaikos, which probably deserved to lose the game by at least 10 points on the overall balance of play but somehow nearly won.

If just a few of those improvements can be made, Thursday’s outcome could be very different.

Kendrick Nunn s Game 3 moments_19358441.mp4

The Greens came up short despite erasing an 18-point deficit to tie the game in the final minute

Josh Nebo was a one-man wrecking ball for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, producing a series of highlight reel dunks to power his team to a thrilling 85-83 victory and a 2-1 series lead over Panathinaikos OPAP Athens. 

Dominant Josh Nebo inspired Maccabi in Game 3 

Josh Nebo was a one-man wrecking ball for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, producing a series of highlight reel dunks to power his team to a thrilling 85-83 victory and a 2-1 series lead over Panathinaikos OPAP Athens.

After watching teammate Bonzie Colson score the first two baskets, Nebo decided he fancied getting involved and delivered his first exclamation mark with a show-stopping dunk. That proved to be merely the first of many, setting the tone for a career-best performance that saw the Maccabi center tie his personal high with 22 points

Nebo’s tally came with impressive efficiency as he converted 10 of his 13 two-point attempts, tying his team’s playoff record for two-point conversions alongside Sofoklis Schortsanitis from a 2011 victory at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Josh Nebo put on a show in Game 3

As the league’s leading rebounder, Nebo didn’t overlook his board duties either, grabbing a game-high 9 rebounds, including 4 at the offensive end. Adding in 2 steals and a blocked shot allowed Nebo to compile a PIR of 31, the fourth-highest in Maccabi’s storied playoff history.

Nebo’s dominant display was all the more impressive for the fact that he had been held to just 6 points and 3 rebounds in Game 2, when Maccabi was brushed aside by a dynamic Panathinaikos performance for a 95-79 victory in Athens. Nebo’s playing time was cut short in that game, fouling out after less than 20 minutes as he struggled to handle the Greens' star big man Mathias Lessort.

This time around Nebo played nearly half an hour as he committed just 1 foul while drawing 5, allowing him to outscore and outrebound Lessort – who still managed to make his own impact with 14 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv got one of its best playoff performances ever from center Josh Nebo, who gave his thoughts on the Game 3 win.

Josh Nebo: 'It's not over yet'

The battle of giants will continue on Thursday, and Nebo will be aware of the need to compete for the full 40 minutes after his team nearly let a comfortable lead slip in the face of a furious fourth-quarter comeback.

"We had a big lead and kind of stopped playing,” Nebo admitted. “We started to watch the clock, waiting for the game to finish versus keep on playing

“It’s human nature. Whenever you have a big lead it’s human nature to relax, and the other team’s hungry. \[We have to\] just keep playing and not relax. It’s not over yet. They’re a very good team so we have to come ready to play Game 4.”

Among his feats, the Maccabi center tied a club playoff record with 10 two-point baskets

Maccabi outlasts Panathinaikos 85-83 to take series lead

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv moved within one win of a Final Four berth, holding on against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in a real thriller, 85-83, to take a 2-1 series lead.

Maccabi raced into an early advantage and enjoyed several double-digit advantages throughout the first half, which ended 46-37. The lead stretched to 18 points, 57-39, in the third quarter, but Panathinaikos didn’t give up and tied it with 42 seconds left. Lorenzo Brown then won the game, netting free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining.

Josh Nebo was the chief inspiration, leading the physical challenge with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Brown also came close to a double-double with 16 points and 8 assists, and Bonzie Colson added 13 points.

Kendrick Nunn paced Panathinaikos with 25 points on 5-of-8 three-point shooting. Ioannis Papapetrou added 17 for the Greens while Mathias Lessort paired 14 points with 6 boards.

Colson scored the first 5 points and Nebo added a slam for a 7-0 lead. Jerian Grant’s free throws and Lessort’s driving layup got Panathinaikos on the board, but Brown and John DiBartolomeo kept Maccabi ahead, 11-4. The Greens went inside for a 2-7 run, including 4 points for Dinos Mitoglou, but Brown’s banked jumper settled Maccabi. Romain Sorkin and Antonius Cleveland made it a 10-0 run and a double-digit lead, 23-11, after ten minutes.

Luca Vildoza and Jasiel Rivero traded two-point strikes to start the second frame, before Vildoza and James Webb III added the game’s first three-pointers. Papapetrou also hit from deep and Marius Grigonis scored in transition, pulling the Greens back to 28-21. Webb and Nunn both netted twice, before Vildoza and Cleveland traded triples, 39-29. Nebo detonated a duo of dunks, but Mitoglou and Nunn hit from deep to make it 46-37 at the break.

Nunn’s driving score was answered by Nebo’s alley-oop layup, and Colson’s four-point play stretched the lead to 52-39. Nebo’s power layup and Jake Cohen’s triple completed an 11-0 run for a game-high 57-39 advantage. Nunn and Mitoglou stopped the bleeding, but Nebo nailed another slam, Jasiel Rivero converted a putback and Tamir Blatt scored from mid-range as Maccabi stayed comfortable. Lessort scored 4 points and Papapetrou struck from long-range in a 0-9 response, but Brown beat the buzzer from deep and it was 67-56 with ten minutes remaining.

Another Nebo dunk opened the fourth quarter, but Nunn and Vildoza lifted Panathinaikos with triples. Brown scored twice for another double-digit margin, 73-63. Nebo dunked and Brown struck from deep, but Nunn’s third triple and Lessort’s layup kept the Greens hoping, 78-70. Another Brown to Nebo alley-oop was bettered by Papapetrou’s triple, and Nunn also scored from deep to make it 81-77 with two minutes left. Lessort’s putback completed a 0-9 run, and Nunn again scored from long range, 83-82. Lessort split free throws for a tie, and a jump ball gave Maccabi the last possession. Brown drew a shooting foul from Grant and made both before Nunn missed a triple on the final buzzer.

The Israeli champs now lead the best-of-five series 2-1

Aside from his skills on the court, the first-year guard is known for two things: his nickname and his love for the Gunners

Dario Brizuela, Barcelona: ‘I’m a die-hard fan of Arsenal’

FC Barcelona’s Dario Brizuela is not your typical basketball player. Born in the Basque city of San Sebastian and having spent his whole life in Spain, the 29-year-old has a love away from the hardwood that could come as a surprise to some – he is a huge fan of Arsenal FC.

Brizuela is understandably busy during the basketball season and therefore cannot attend as many Arsenal games as he might like, yet he makes sure to follow the Gunners whenever he can and often voices his thoughts on Twitter, especially after big wins against the club’s rivals. But how did Brizuela’s Arsenal fandom begin?

“I’m a die-hard fan of Arsenal,” Brizuela tells [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Geoff Gillingham. “\[It’s\] a long story as to why I’ve been an Arsenal fan for like 15 years. In my city \[San Sebastian\], there’s a big football team – Real Sociedad – and I didn’t want to be like the rest of my friends who are Real Sociedad fans.

“I decided to be an Arsenal fan because I love English football, then I started following it and now I have a 25+ shirt collection at home. I went there to watch some games, I went to watch some finals, FA Cup finals and stuff like that, and I love it, I just love it.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Gracias @JavitoAtance por esta reliquia, llevaba años queriéndola. PD: es de mi talla 😉 <a href="https://t.co/PXsdC4xsFD">pic.twitter.com/PXsdC4xsFD</a></p>&mdash; Darío Brizuela (@basquemamba) <a href="https://twitter.com/basquemamba/status/787699101609721856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There are over 900 kilometers separating Brizuela’s hometown of San Sebastian and London, the city Arsenal plays in, but the Spanish guard speaks with such passion about the Gunners that it’s like he was born in borough of Islington. Curiously, several Arsenal players have switched north London for Barcelona over the years, and now Brizuela lines up in the Blaugrana’s colors, albeit at Palau Blaugrana and not at Camp Nou.

One person who has Barcelona DNA but has found a home at Arsenal is Mikel Arteta, a former midfielder for the club who is now in his fifth season as head coach. Like Brizuela, he is also from San Sebastian and has helped bring through a new crop of players, who have really captured the Barcelona guard’s attention.

“My favorite football player and the main reason why I’m an Arsenal fan was Thierry Henry, who played in Barcelona after that, then Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie,” he explains. “I think I fell in love with those players and the style of play of Arsene Wenger. It was quite similar to Barcelona’s playing style.

“After that, all those guys went to Barcelona – Henry, Cesc – but I stayed true to my colors. Now I’m a big fan of the new guys: \[Bukayo\] Saka, \[Martin\] Odegaard, \[Gabriel\] Martinelli...”

Brizuela posing with the statue of Thierry Henry

Frustratingly for Brizuela, though, he never got the chance to see his idol, Henry, suit up for the Gunners before his move to Barcelona in 2007, nor on his brief return to Arsenal on loan in 2012. He did, however, fall in love with a player who made the reverse switch from Barcelona to Arsenal.

“The first game that I went to see, I think, was in 2016 in England and he was retired,” he laments. “But the player I most liked to watch live was Alexis Sanchez. For me he was a tremendous player, incredible.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">😍 <a href="https://t.co/JyerqGNWqf">pic.twitter.com/JyerqGNWqf</a></p>&mdash; Darío Brizuela (@basquemamba) <a href="https://twitter.com/basquemamba/status/1060648785603411975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Like many football-crazy people, Brizuela has gone back and checked out footage of the club’s best-ever moments. For the Spaniard, there’s one season that immediately stands out – Arsenal’s 2003-04 Premier League campaign, when they went the whole season unbeaten and won the title, earning the ‘Invincibles’ tag.

“The Invincibles, it’s got to be the Invincibles,” Brizuela replies to a question about his favorite-ever season. “I was quite young in that era, but it’s remarkable. It’s not been broken, that record. I wish I was older in that time to enjoy more football because I knew nothing yet.

“Last season was quite fun, too. It was hard at the end because they finished second, but I was telling all my friends and all the people who know that I’m an Arsenal fan. They were telling me, ‘You are first. Do you feel the pressure?’ All this kind of stuff, you know? I was telling them, ‘No. Finally, we are enjoying every game, we are not suffering in every game.’

“For me, for example, I’m going to the couch to watch the football match and I enjoy the 90 minutes. That’s all I want: to see the guys play, to enjoy the game, see them play the way they play, and that’s it.”

Brizuela and his dad at an Atletico de Madrid vs. Arsenal game

Brizuela was playing in Spanish League action on Sunday evening and therefore missed Arsenal’s 3-2 win in the north London derby at archrival Tottenham Hotspur FC, but he will no doubt have caught up on the game once he got some down time later that night.

This Tuesday evening, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague rookie will be looking to get his first minutes in Barcelona’s series against Olympiacos Piraeus as the action switches to Greece for Games 3 and 4.

Aside from his skills on the court, the first-year guard is known for two things: his nickname and his love for the Gunners
