But the Israeli team could not even approach its usual numbers on this occasion, restricted by Bayern’s intense defense to just 71 points while dishing only 15 assists, claiming just 8 offensive boards and committing 17 turnovers.
Those numbers are enough to explain how Bayern took control, especially during the second and third quarters when Maccabi was held to just 31 points, and Pesic – who was taking charge of just his second game – left no margin for doubt about what he will demand from his players in the weeks ahead.
“It was a very important game for us, an important win,” the veteran coach told EuroLeague TV.
“For everybody – the fans, the players, the club – it’s always important to win. But for me it’s [more important] how we win. And tonight everything we tried on defense to stop transition points from one of the best teams in the EuroLeague we played excellent.
“Excellence defense on the ball, excellent rotation, sometimes switching defense, boxing out, rebounds…a complete game. Now it’s important to repeat this game.”
On an individual level, it looks like the biggest beneficiary of the recent coaching change will be center David McCormack.
The former ALBA Berlin player was a peripheral presence under previous coach Gordie Herbert, sometimes omitted entirely from the 12-man roster, but he is enjoying a fresh lease of life under Pesic.
After scoring a season-high 12 points in the new coach’s debut against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv last week, McCormack followed up with an action-packed display to spearhead the victory over Maccabi, delivering 18 points on 7-of-9 two-point shooting, 7 rebounds and 3 assists for a personal-best PIR of 27.