Ivanovic praises Olympiacos, names Zvezda's main focus in Piraeus game / News - Basketnews.com

Dusko Ivanovic called Olympiacos "a clear Final Four favorite" and stressed that getting Sasha Vezenkov out of the game was essential for his team to win in Piraeus.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Crvena Zvezdareturned to winning ways in EuroLeague play with a statement triumph over hosts Olympiacos Piraeus (90-86).

The Serbian squad had the upper hand in the second half, and, thanks to their incredibly high field-goal percentage (74% 2PT, 45% 3PT shooting), managed to collect their 8th win of the season and 7th since coach Dusko Ivanovic took over.

One week after suffering their first loss at the continental level, that result was a big booster for a team that recently added Facundo Campazzo to its roster. In fact, it was Zvezda's second straight road win over their red-and-white counterparts.

In the postgame presser, the Montenegrin coach stressed that his team won a "difficult game against Olympiacos", who he thinks "are one of the best teams in EuroLeague and a clear Final Four favorite."

Ivanovic stressed that his team's focus was to contain Sasha Vezenkov's action on the court. As it turned out, Zvezda's plan was carried out successfully. The Bulgarian forward, one of the EuroLeague's best performers, scorers, and rebounders this season, finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and a PIR of 18.

"We needed to stop Vezenkov: his cuts, offensive rebounds, and points. Except for the first 20 minutes, when we had a problem with rebounds, we improved in the second half and did what we had to do to win the game," Ivanovic said and headed back to Zvezda's locker room.

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