By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas guard Sylvain Francisco explained what was the key factor that led his team to a comeback from down 20 points against Paris Basketball and the win.
“To hit them,” Francisco said to EuroLeague TV. “That was the most important thing. When we hit them, they didn’t know what to do. We knew we weren’t really aggressive in the first half. It’s easier when they are missing shots, and we can get in transition to convert them into points. That’s what we did.”
Francisco extended his contract with Zalgiris until 2027 on Tuesday (11/3). Two days later, he had all of his 15 points in the second half to lead his team to a huge turnaround, while hitting the game-winner with two seconds remaining.
“To be patient and change my mentality,” Francisco added. “Every time I’m missing, I’m like, OK, 0 in the first half. I have to be better on defense and push the ball when my teammates are ready. I’m a confident guy. For me, it doesn’t matter. I might miss five shots in a row, but I know the last shots, the most important shots… I’m going to make them.”
“The coach told me to get the ball, and Bryant [Dunston] was supposed to set a screen,” Francisco added on the last play and his game-winning jumper. “I had [Tyson] Ward. Just give him an in and out and shoot the two. I had to calm down because there were two seconds remaining. When Nadir Hifi missed, I was happy. Because we deserved it.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague