By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
It all came down to the wire at Zalgirio Arena. Zalgiris went ahead with three seconds to go after Sylvain Francisco sank two free throws, then Mario Hezonja had a chance to win it for Real Madrid but missed a three-point shot, allowing the home team to prevail.
After the game, Real Madrid head coach Sergio Scariolo gave his remarks but did not want to comment on Zalgiris’ final play, when Francisco was awarded the decisive free throws.
“Congrats to Zalgiris. It was an equal game, we were four up a couple of minutes to go, we missed three open shots and a layup, we were not accurate in decisive possessions. Then the game became up and down, one team scored, the other. Don’t ask me about the last play, because I’m absolutely speechless. The team competed, we are hurt, because we made the same effort and played with the same efficiency as the opponent, but they were slightly better in the last couple of offenses. So congrats to them, and we move to the next one,” Scariolo said.
He was also asked about Real Madrid’s last play and Hezonja’s decision to take the three-point shot instead of trying to force overtime.
“We had the possibility to drive or to take a shot, the shot was wide open, he made a decision, can’t blame him.”
The Italian tactician also commented on the tight EuroLeague standings.
“It’s extremely close. We’ve been in the top four for a few weeks, we are still there, we want to try to stay there, and obviously the next games will be decisive to decide the final ranking.”
With the loss in Kaunas, Real Madrid fell to 5–11 on the road in the EuroLeague this season.
“At the beginning of the season, we had half of a team new, new coach, we were very ineffective on the road, but in the second part of the season we won some, and lost in a tricky way others, like in Athens and tonight,” Scariolo concluded.