“Everyone will talk about the 57 points we scored in the first half, but our best performance was actually on defense,” head coach Pablo Laso said following his team’s victory at the Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi, according to NTVSpor. Laso guided his squad through a high-scoring opening half before addressing defensive execution and a challenging third period in the post-match press conference.
Laso Blames Ball-Handling Errors for Third Quarter Struggles
Laso praised his players for controlling the tempo early in the game, noting that the team captured three of the four quarters. The opening twenty minutes established a clear offensive rhythm as the side put up 57 points, attacking the basket with consistency. However, the momentum shifted significantly after halftime.
“The worst period for us in the match was the third quarter,” Laso stated via NTVSpor, pointing to ball-handling errors as the primary culprit. The team failed to penetrate the opponent’s defense the way they did before the break. Despite the offensive slowdown in the third period, Laso highlighted the team’s work on the boards as a crucial stabilizing factor that kept them ahead in the rebounding battle.
Defensive Focus Against Besiktas
While the first-half scoring total drew immediate attention, Laso insisted that defensive discipline dictated the outcome against an aggressive Besiktas lineup. Controlling the pace of the game required sharp defensive rotations to contain players known for high-intensity playstyles.
“We had to do very well on defense to be a winning team,” Laso explained, as reported by NTVSpor. He added that the defensive effort allowed them to dictate terms on the floor despite the opponent’s aggressive approach.
Busy Schedule Leaves No Time for Celebration
Reflecting on the win, Laso emphasized that the demanding competition calendar leaves very little room for prolonged celebration. With fixtures coming in quick succession, coaching staff and players immediately shift their focus toward preparation for the next scheduled opponent.
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