By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Barcelona didn’t start off the EuroLeague playoffs on the right foot as they lost to Anadolu Efes on the road in Game 1. The Spaniards’ coach Svetislav Pesic felt like his squad was somewhat afraid and didn’t show enough decisiveness: “As you saw, we didn’t have a very good start. Again, like in the last game, more or less we react on the offense, it was always in waiting. We didn’t have good decisions and were a little bit afraid to be decisive, especially in defense. We didn’t have very good rhythm and Efes like this; to move the ball, to attack with the extra pass, to play pick ‘n’ roll”, he said after the game.
Pesic also noted that although they lost the opening game, the playoffs have just started and Barcelona will be more than ready for the next game: “In the second quarter, we started to play and I think we lost a lot of energy, not only physical but mentally. Anyway, I thought we found our rhythm but the third quarter wasn’t on the level we need to win the game tonight here. I think, at the end of the day, we should congratulate Efes, they deserved this victory. And now start the playoffs, this is only one game. We adapted to this atmosphere, the referees controlled the game good on both sides and we have everything we need to play the game on Friday”