The true strategist did not hide his joy: it was important to feel that we are in control of the game with Žalgiris

Kaunas “Žalgiris” (12/14) on Thursday did not take the opportunity to enter the playoffs, losing to the guests 58:70 (13:21, 18:15, 11:15, 16:19) in a very ineffective duel “Real” (10/16).

“We were able to hit, rebound and control the game. In the attack, not everything went according to plan. I don’t mean a success, I mean mistakes we’ve made up to 22. That’s too much. I have no doubt that we really could have avoided some of the mistakes. In spite of everything, I am very happy with how the players worked in this match, which really was not easy, ”said Mr. Laso.

The Real strategist said that before the game they asked him about the importance of this duel: “For me, all the Euroleague games are very important and difficult. We play against a team fighting for a playoff spot.

These matches are as important as the first of this season in Vitoria, but the closer the end of the regular season approaches, the more important the match becomes, all teams are fighting for their goals. So it was important to feel that we are in control of the game with “Žalgiris” despite many mistakes, which we really have to avoid in the future. “

Nicolás Laprovittola, who scored 9 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, said it was an important victory for the Madrid team.

“The team works every day and knows that our goal is to reach the four finalists and win the Euroleague. We need to breathe and improve our game. We need to know where our place is, where we should be, ”said former Vilnius Lietuvos Rytas player.

Real sniper Jaycee Carroll has crossed the symbolic 2,500 point mark.

“It just came to our knowledge then. I didn’t even know I was getting close to that limit. This means that I have had the opportunity to play at this level for some time and I am very satisfied with it,” said the American, who scored 12 points. in the Žalgiris basket on Thursday.

You are as old as you feel @JayceeCarroll 😉

Congratulations on the milestone 👏 pic.twitter.com/C0XgA8aYiv
– Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) February 25, 2021

Another “Real” character, Serio Llulla, who did not play due to injury, was displaced from 5th place by Paulius Jankūnas on the list of the most productive Euroleague players of all time. The captain of “Žalgiris” has scored 3148 points throughout his career, and the Spaniard 3144.

According to the club, S. Llul underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. The rehabilitation process should begin soon, and the date of his return to the field is not yet known.

The 33-year veteran scored an average of 8.7 points in 20 games this season, giving up 2.9 assists.

In Madrid, Žalgiris performed without Artūras Milaknis, Real not only had the help of Anthony Randolphas, who has not played since last December, but also of Rudy Fernández, S. Llull and Jeffery Taylor.

Kaunas failed to get revenge for losing his grudge at home last November 90:93.

Next week, Žalgiris will host ASVEL in Vilerbana (France) and Olimpia in Milan (Italy), Real will visit Russia, where they will meet Chimki in the Moscow region and Zenit in Saint Petersburg.