Kattash is sure history will be made: 'I have a feeling it will happen' / News - Basketnews.com

Kattash confirmed Wade Baldwin would not play in Game 5 but was certain at least one of the three game fives would feature an away team victory, which would be a first in EuroLeague history.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv lost Game 4 against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on Thursday. Alongside this series, two other matchups are going to be decided in Game 5 this upcoming week.

Points this season

48%88,2Points made:88,2Accuracy:47,6%Place in standings:2Record max:113Record min:66Best scorer:Wade Baldwin IVTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Maccabi lost to Hapoel Holon 76-82 on Saturday. Jasiel Rivero and Bonzie Colson were rested, while Josh Nebo and Lorenzo Brown didn't play although they were registered. Roman Sorkin was sidelined with an illness, and John DiBartolomeo picked up a shoulder injury late in the game.

"We were missing too many players. It was important for us to give some players a rest, and Roman's illness was unplanned, and it was a little too much for us. We played in formations we were not used to. We were in the zone for 35 minutes, but whoever came up gave the maximum, and we were also close to winning," Kattash said after the contest.

While Maccabi had to play domestically, Panathinaikos had time to prepare for the upcoming matchup on Tuesday without any games in the Greek League. In addition to the Maccabi-PAO series, the duels between FC Barcelona and Olympiacos Piraeus, and AS Monaco and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul will also feature Game 5s.

Throughout the modern EuroLeague history, no away team has won Game 5 in playoff history. Kattash is certain that at least one away team will win this year.

"There are three game fives. I have a feeling it will happen next week, and hopefully, it will be us," he said.

Wade Baldwin IV missed the game, and he was confirmed to miss Game 5 as well. The star guard tried to return to the court in Game 4 but ultimately played only seven minutes before reaggravating his hamstring injury.

Maccabi tried to get their leader to close out the series in front of their home fans in Belgrade, Serbia. Looking back, Kattash is sure this might not have been the best move.

"If you look back on things, you can say they were a mistake or not. But it's not a mistake if we do everything to make the best decision for us," he said. Of course, after he got injured again, then in retrospect, I can say that I wish we had acted differently and received him fully healthy."

"Let's hope that John Di's condition is not too serious. It's game 72 or 73 this year, and that's part of the issue. It's not easy. And still, our medical team did an amazing job compared to other teams," Kattash concluded.

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