By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid dropped a 14-point lead, but overcame a six-point deficit down the stretch to go up 1-0 in the EuroLeague playoffs series against Panathinaikos OPAP. The Spanish team will host the Greens once again on Friday. Ahead of Game 2 of the best-of-five series, Pablo Laso and Klemen Prepelic spoke to media representatives.
Panathinaikos filed on official protest for the referees’ performance in Game 1. The Whites’ head coach answered a question on the refs as well: “The rules are are as they are and the referees decide when to use the instant replay. My obligation is to tell the referee when I see a wrong call. The referees make mistakes, so do the coaches and the players.”
Commenting on Game 2, the 51-year-old Spaniard mentioned: “Friday’s game is another game. We have to play better than the first match. The players are tired, but I see them all well. The fans were also part of Wednesday’s success. They pushed us. Tomorrow we will need them even more.”
On the final minutes of Game 1, he said: “We’re pleased with the victory in a very competitive contest. It was hard for us to gain an advantage. The opponents didn’t stop fighting and had their moments. They built a six-point lead, but the team reacted well.”
On what his team needs to upgrade: “We have to improve some aspects of our game. We did some things well, other normal and other bad. We have to correct the latter. We must improve our rebounds, one-on-one defense, rhythm, three-point percentage to win.”
Specifically about Nick Calathes and the dangers he poses, Laso explained: “On defense, we must accept Calathes can’t be stopped by one player, but with team effort. If he generates points, assists and rebounds, we are doing something wrong.”
Prepelic, 26, discussed the importance of Game 2: “Panathinaikos is a very tough team that fights for every possession. We won the first match, but we have to turn the page and think about Game 2. We will try to give our best again. If we go up 2-0, I think it will be somewhat easier to play in Athens.”
The Slovenian guard added: “We have to play better than Game 1. We weren’t bad, but we didn’t play our best basketball either. We will have to work hard and well to win and avoid a similar tight finish if possible.”