Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Panathinaikos With Key Player Questionable

Maccabi Tel Aviv will play Panathinaikos in Athens on Friday night, still seeking their first EuroLeague win of the season. The Israeli team lost their first two games to Villeurbanne and Besiktas, while Panathinaikos, coached by Zeljko Obradovic, defeated Paris and Villeurbanne at home. Maccabi's practice on Thursday in Belgrade was impacted by Daniel Theis's ankle sensitivity, and his participation in the upcoming game is considered highly unlikely. The team is attempting to get Theis ready but is also preparing Armando Bacot to play significant minutes at center alongside Roman Sorkin. Despite acknowledging the low probability of an upset against Panathinaikos, especially given recent performance, Maccabi is reportedly in good spirits and views the game as crucial after their Wednesday loss. The coaching staff is focused on improving one-on-one defense and transition play, urging players like London, Kittin Wallace, and Jimmy Clark to be more aggressive. Wallace stated that defense is the primary area for improvement, noting the team scored 93 points but conceded 109. He also commented on the challenging Athens crowd, stating the team must adapt to the circumstances. TJ Leaf added that the team needs to start with more intensity and hunger, as they struggle to find their identity early in games, leading to deficits. He anticipates a difficult match, particularly given their current form, and stressed the necessity of being prepared.