By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas coach Andrea Trinchieri wanted to see his players shoot more free throws against Olympiacos Piraeus, given the very physical defense of the Reds.
“It’s impossible to play against such defense if you don’t go in the line,” Trinchieri said after Zalgiris‘ 85 – 92 loss to Olympiacos. The Greek side came back from down 14 early in the second half to take the away win.
“It’s impossible. For the level of contact, for how physical they are. What can we say that we have to shoot 80 percent on 2-pointers? It’s very clear to me. Then you lose confidence. We tried to attack. The numbers say everything. If you start hitting 3-pointers, they come outside, you beat them and you don’t go to the line, you can’t win the game. Mathematics.”
Zalgiris finished the game with 11 more 3-point attempts than 2-point attempts. Trinchieri explained why his players shot way more from beyond the arc.
“One time we try to draw a line among the dots. If you don’t shoot free throws, how can you play?” Trinchieri wondered. Olympiacos shot 17 free throws against Zalgiris’ 8. “You have to abuse the 3-point shot. Shooting with 72 percent on 2-pointers. How can I do it? The most efficient shots in basketball are free throws and 3-pointers. We tried to make them come out of the paint because they are very big. We did it. Then they come out, we beat them. I can’t ask more from my players. Look at the numbers.”
Olympiacos forced Zalgiris to score 33 in the second half after the Lithuanian went up 52 – 40 at the break. The more the game progressed the more Giorgos Bartzokas’ players imposed their will on their opponents and even led by 9, 71 – 80, down the stretch for a complete turnaround.
“It’s a matter of experience. Olympiacos is the most experienced team,” Trinchieri mentioned. “My players played hard. But in the end, their experience and physicality were too much. And in the end, the things we are doing aren’t there anymore. Because everything starts with your emotional part. If you have good vibes, you know what you’re doing and receive the reward for playing hard… maybe two free throws. Olympiacos has this defense that takes away all the joy you have to play. Hitting, holding, grabbing. We were good in the first 20 minutes and then this cost us a lot. Believe me, it’s very difficult when you don’t shoot free throws. It’s impossible.”
Zalgiris committed 19 turnovers that were made into 33 points by Olympiacos.
“The only number that killed us was turnovers,” Trinchieri had said in his opening statement. “I believe that you either learn or you die. It’s called evolution. Darwin talked about it many years ago. Only those who adapt will survive. I can say a lot about our mistakes but we played against a very, very good team. The best at this moment. We put them into big trouble but the only thing that didn’t go our way was the final result.”