This season's precedents: Monaco vs. Maccabi

Here’s a statement that would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago: The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs will begin in Monaco! AS Monaco will host Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Game 1 of their best-of-five series on Tuesday night at 20:15 CET. Monaco is in the playoffs for the second time in as many seasons in Europe's premier competition, while Maccabi is a six-time continental champion. The opener will be the fifth meeting ever between these sides and the home team has won every time. Let's look back at their two clashes this season.

This will be just the fifth time these two teams face each other in the EuroLeague. So far, their record is tied at 2-2.
After being named MVP in the last EuroBasket having led Spain to the gold medal, Lorenzo Brown has also been one of the most determinant guards in the league.
Donta Hall is a dunk specialist that has always been one of Monaco's main contributors.
Bonzie Colson has had a stellar maiden season in the EuroLeague with Maccabi and will hope to help his team return to the Final Four.
Mike James has been, once again, the main factor that led Monaco to its second playoffs appearance in its second EuroLeague season.
Wade Baldwin has had a solid second half of the season, which led to him being named MVP for April.
Donta Hall specializes in acrobatics inside the paint, both in offense and also on defense (0.9 blocks per game).
Both teams have fearsome backcourt lineups, including ace scorers Jordan Loyd and Lorenzo Brown for Monaco and Maccabi, respectively.
Mike James averages 16.3 points per game this season, plus 3.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Veteran big man Donatas Motiejunas made his EuroLeague debut in 2007 with Zalgiris Kaunas and hopes to qualify for his first Final Four 17 years later.
Wade Baldwin has scored a total 38 points against Monaco in their two games during the regular season.
In his second EuroLeague season, John Brown will be playing his first playoff series.

Maccabi and Monaco met for the first time this season in Tel Aviv in Round 3 and things did not start well for the home side. Monaco dominated out of the gate and led by as many as 19 in the second quarter. Back-to-back threes by John DiBartolomeo and Wade Baldwin at the end of the third quarter triggered what proved to be a 15-0 run that got Maccabi back in the game. Baldwin remained how with 12 fourth-quarter points as the hosts took charge late to win 78-70. Maccabi outscored Monaco 32-11 over the game's final 11 minutes. Baldwin finished with 21 points and Lorenzo Brown contributed 13 points and 7 assists for the winners. Jordan Loyd paced Monaco with 21 points and Mike James added 15.

Their second meeting was just last month and it had several similarities to their first game. Once again Monaco took control early, surging to a 14-2 start with 5 points coming from Donatas Motiejunas. The margin reached 14, but once again Maccabi fought its way back and tied the score late in the second quarter. A triple by Loyd gave Monaco a 39-36 edge at halftime and the teams traded shots throughout the third, which ended with Maccabi up 58-59. This time, it was Monaco that dominated late, outscoring Maccabi 15-0 to open the fourth quarter and 28-8 overall in the final 10 minutes to claim the win, 86-67. Loyd led a balanced attack with 15 points and Elie Okobo added 14. Baldwin netted 17 for Maccabi in defeat.