Sasa Obradovic on pre-game incidents: 'I think it hurts them more than us' / News - Basketnews.com

"As a player and as a coach, I was so many times in this kind of situation. It's good that we kept our focus on the game," Obradovic said.

Credit: Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

AS Monaco reclaimed home-court advantage in its best-of-five series with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv by leading from start to finish for an 83-78 road win in Game 3 on Tuesday night. Roca Team now leads the series 2-1.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Donatas Motiejūnas Points 9 Accuracy 4-5 Rebounds 6 Assists 2

Monaco endured the hostile atmosphere at Menora Mivtachim Arena pregame and during the game.

The red-and-white team was welcomed with flares and offensive gestures near the arena before the game, while their pre-game routine was interrupted by confetti strikes.

Monaco head coach Sasa Obradovic, who comes from a similarly passionate country (Serbia), understands the intensity of these situations.

In the post-game conference, he acknowledged the passion and energy of Maccabi fans and even suggested that the pre-game incidents might have had a negative impact on their own team rather than his.

"This is Maccabi's institution. With this kind of fans, with this kind of atmosphere, this belongs to European [basketball] history. You should always respect this kind of opponent and this kind of fans. They are emotional guys. I understand this, I am coming from an emotional country, let's say," Obradovic said with a smile on his face.

"As a player and as a coach, I was so many times in this kind of situation," he emphasized. "It's good that we kept our focus on the game. Talking about pregame, I think it hurts them more than us."

Game 4 is Thursday in Tel Aviv. If Monaco wins, the team will reach its first EuroLeague Final Four.

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