Lorenzo Brown says Maccabi would've been top three if not for the war / News - Basketnews.com

Brown said the team's confidence is sky-high after Game 1 victory. He believes Maccabi would've been top three if they were able to play home games in Tel Aviv this season.

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic via Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic via Getty Images

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv stunned more than 18,000 fans in the legendary OAKA on Tuesday, beating Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens at their own home. Lorenzo Brown says the team's confidence is now sky-high.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv / Schedule

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv87-91 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Maccabi Playtika Tel AvivThu18:15 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensTue16:00

"We feel very good, but we're not satisfied with what we achieved in the first game. There are still many games to play in this series and we know they'll come back and make adjustments," Brown said in an interview with Tomer Givati from Israel Hayom. "This is the secret in the playoffs: both sides will get along and prepare again, and whoever comes more prepared - will win. I believe the second game will be much more difficult than the first game."

This is not the first time Maccabi are in this position. The Israeli club won the first game of the series against AS Monaco last year as well but ultimately ended up losing the series in five games.

"Last year, we were at the exact same point in Monaco after winning the first game, but we ended up losing the series and it didn't end the way we wanted. We have players in this year's squad who've already been in these situations and know how to react and function in those moments," Brown said.

The Israel-Hamas was, which broke out on October 7th, 2023, changed a lot of things for Maccabi. The main consequence was the inability to hold home games in the rowdy Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, often considered to be one of the toughest venues to play in.

Lorenzo Brown is certain - if Maccabi were able to play at home in Israel, they would've had the home advantage in the playoffs.

"This group has a special character and a lot of heart. We went through a lot this year, we experienced difficult things together, and I feel it prepared us for these moments and led us to where we are now. If the war hadn't broken out and we could have hosted home games in the Menora [Mivtahim] Hall, I'm sure we would've finished this season top three in the EuroLeague, the entire EuroLeague already knows that," Brown declared.

"For us to be at this point and achieve what we have achieved so far says a lot about our team, our identity, our character, and our coach," the star guard said. "In my opinion, Oded Kattash should win the EuroLeague Coach of the Year title thanks to what he manages to get out of us after everything we've been through this season."

Despite coming away with a win in OAKA, Maccabi lost their leader, Wade Baldwin IV, to a hamstring injury. The star guard won't be able to help the yellows in Game 2. Nevertheless, Brown believes Maccabi can still take the game.

"Our confidence is sky-high. We are a group of fighters, we've worked as hard as possible, and I know that we can definitely count on each other in the most difficult moments. The plan is to leave Athens with a 2-0 lead, and I believe and hope that we'll carry it out," Brown concluded.

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