By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olimpia Milano is coming from two wins in a row in EuroLeague, including an impressive road victory over Khimiki Moscow in Russia. These results, along with the team’s quite dangerous, offensive-minded brand of basketball, are the reasons why Real Madrid has to be extra cautious for tomorrow’s (13/3) game, according to head coach Pablo Laso.
“Olimpia Milanο plays very attractive basketball, very open, scoring many points, with high-scoring players and when they’re on form they’re difficult to stop. It’s important to understand this from the first minute and make the game a long one for them in that aspect so that we can impose our rhythm on the match,” Laso said in the pre-game comments ahead of the match.
Real Madrid is currently fourth in the EuroLeague standings with a 15 – 10 record, same as Lithuanian side Zalgiris Kaunas. A win against already-eliminated Milano (9-16) won’t only potentially “lock” a playoff spot for the “Blancos” but also push them closer towards finishing in the Top 4 and the gaining homecourt advantage in the quarterfinals.
“Yes, we know it’s an important match, like every game when you’re approaching the end of the regular season, the team is aware of that, they have worked well and now we’re in a good position, but we know the difficulty of these matches. We have to show a good attitude and be prepared to work because the match dictates it as we’re up against a team with a lot of quality,” Laso added.
The Spanish powerhouse will miss potential No. 1 Draft pick Luka Doncic (hip injury) in the upcoming match. Even though we are talking about the team’s leading scorer and passer, plus one of the favorites for EuroLeague MVP, his absence isn’t an excuse, Anthony Randolph.
“We want to win every game and finish as high as possible in the standings to go into the playoffs in a strong position,” Randolph said. “Every EuroLeague match is important and we’re fighting for the home-court advantage. We have to come out switched on. We’ve had to get over the fact we’ve had injuries and many of the players who don’t play so much have stepped up to be counted. That has made us stronger, we’re becoming a complete team and that will give us more strength in the playoff”.
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Photo: RealMadrid.com