On the other hand, that game hardly matters. Jake Cohen did not play in that game and has played at least 10 minutes in every game since. Alex Poythress was sidelined and he will be back for this series. Maccabi was outrebounded by 11 and shot poorly. Cohen's passing and Poythress's athleticism make this a different Maccabi than the one that slumped in Monaco.
I have to give myself credit here. It's an excellent point I’ve made. And even in the loss in Monaco, Maccabi fell behind by double figures early and rallied to lead at the end of the third quarter. This Maccabi has heart. And this Maccabi has depth. And there has never been a question about talent.
Two seasons ago, Wade Baldwin was the tragic hero for FC Bayern Munich in its five-game playoff loss to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. Now he's partnering with Lorenzo Brown for what many are calling the best backcourt in the league. You know they want to prove that.
Poythress has also been to and lost a five-game playoff series. And there's Bonzie Colson and Jarell Martin, eager to shine in their playoff debuts.
And deep on the bench – usually in street clothes – sits Guy Pnini. One of the last remaining links to Maccabi of old. In his ninth season with the team, a champion in 2014. When something needs to be said in the locker room, Pnini will not be afraid to say it. And the team will listen.
But more than anything else, this Maccabi team has shown heart all season long. And because of that, they should not be written off.
My prediction
Maccabi in four. But as they say, that prediction is as valuable as the paper it's written on. (Of course, you are probably reading this on a digital screen of some sort, so that makes this a much more valuable prediction!)
I think Maccabi steals one of the first two games in Monaco and closes it out at home. Either way, I believe the series will be decided in Monaco and if the hosts hold on to go up 2-0, they will, despite my prediction, probably make history by advancing to the Final Four.
