Ataman certain Panathinaikos can turn series around: 'I'm 100% confident' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman expresses confidence in Panathinaikos' ability to rebound and win Game 4, emphasizing the team's past performances and the need for improved execution to secure victory in the series.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens find themselves in a tough spot. Down 1-2 in the best-of-five EuroLeague quarter-final series against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, they face a do-or-die Game 4 on Thursday night.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens / Schedule

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv95-79 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens85-83 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensThu18:45

Coach Ergin Ataman addressed the pressure his team is under after losing their home-court advantage and facing the crucial match.

"All teams in the playoffs, except Real Madrid, have pressure. But this is our life," he acknowledged. "I hope that we will play much better than yesterday [Game 3], and I'm 100% confident that we can win Game 4 and bring the series back to OAKA."

Ataman remained optimistic about Panathinaikos' chances of winning the series.

"After the results of these three games, yes," he confirmed the belief. "Because in the first two games, we played better basketball. We lost the first game on the last ball in OAKA, but we very clearly won the second game, and yesterday, for the first time in this series, I think Maccabi played much better than we did. We didn't deserve to win, but we had the ball, the last possession, but everything went wrong for us.

"Sometimes, you need a lucky game or ball," Ataman continued. "Referees make mistakes, and it happens. They try to correct and change. But we made our mistakes. [Jerian] Grant made a ridiculous foul on the last shot. We were there yesterday, but we didn't play good basketball. ... I'm still waiting for some better performances from some players in this series.

"We aren't happy. We played badly and lost because of some of our mistakes. We had a chance to win the game. It's the playoffs. Sometimes, you go up 2-1, and sometimes, you go down 1-2. It's important to win three games anyway. If we want to go to the Final Four, we need to beat Maccabi in three games."

Lastly, Ataman addressed the possible return of Maccabi leader Wade Baldwin, who started training with the team following his hamstring injury.

"It's their decision. We will play our game," he said. "Of course, Baldwin is a really good player. For them, it's a positive thing if he will play."

Game 4 will take place at Maccabi's temporary home, the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, on Thursday at 20:45 CEST.

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