"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.
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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