The Barça coach, Sarunas Jasikeviciusassured that “mistakes will be paid very dearly” in the Euroleague game that the Catalan team will play this Thursday at the Fernando Buesa Arena against him Baskonia bucket.
“It will be a bit in the line of Efes. When you start bad They immediately take an advantage of 12 points. We must know how to sacrifice and use our weapons. The distractions are they will pay dearly in the Buesa”, affirmed this Wednesday the Lithuanian coach in the pavilion of the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
Jasikevicius highlighted the regularity of the Cazoo Baskonia: “They take the whole season to a great levelThey are very consistent. They are playing good basketball. They are very good in attack, very difficult to stop. Here, we beat them both games, but their position in the table, both in the CBA like in the euroleaguesays it all”.
“You have to defend better. In the two games against them we didn’t manage to do it consistently, especially on counterattacks. They are very good at this, but against us they have scored even more. This is also related to take care of the ball and make good decisions”, reflected the Barça coach.
‘Saras’ praised the rival star, the point guard markus howard: “I saw him in matches with DenverHe was a boy who got in a lot, but I didn’t know him deeply. It is seen that scores very easily. He is one of those players who can change a game, and we will need a good defense on him and lots of help.”
“We’ve talked a lot about why we can’t take the next step. It is a matter of concentration and of ambition. Our defense numbers They are one of the best in the Euroleaguebut they punish us a lot losses and the rebounds. Second possessions kill us and you have to make more tactical fouls to save easy points”, he analyzed about Barça’s room for improvement.
Finally, the Lithuanian coach confirmed the return of the point guard Thomas Satoransky to the call after five games out due to tendinitis on the right ankle: “It is to travel and we will see. He has trained a bit with the team and you have to gradually integrate him into the dynamics ”.
Higgins, vital in the last games
The guard of the Barça Cory Higgins believes that the chances of the Catalan team winning this Thursday at the Cazoo Baskonia track in the Euroleague go through the defense against a rival that stands out for its offensive virtues.
“It will be a very difficult match. They are playing extremely well at home and are a great team offensively, so everything will depend on our defense”, summed up the Barca player on Wednesday in statements to the media from the Joan Gamper Sports City pavilion.
Higgins also stressed the importance of jumping onto the track with the mentality adequate: “We will need to get into the game better and control the pacebecause they will be very motivated in front of his fans.”
And he referred to his possible duel with the rival star, point guard Markus Howard: “I know he is a great offensive player and her coach gives her a lot of freedom. That makes him a difficult opponent to stop, but I will do my best to execute our defensive system.”
Lastly, the Californian player gave a positive assessment of the team’s trajectory. “We are doing well. taking steps in the right direction. We just have to keep working and improving,” she summed up.