Jasikevicius on Calathes' milestone: 'When he is fine, the team works' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX

FC Barcelona (18-4) managed to pull off a tight win against AS Monaco (10-13) at home (88-83). The Blaugranas got their 12th consecutive win. They did not lose since January 20th against UNICS Kazan.

Player of the Game EFF 31 Dante Exum Points 22 Accuracy 7-9 Rebounds 5 Assists 2

Sarunas Jasikevicius expressed his satisfaction after the game, regretting how his team allowed Monaco to bounce back at the end.

"This is a great victory. We knew Monaco was in good shape, playing really well," Jasikdvicius said after the game. "They are a talented team, probably the best offensively. It is not easy to stop them. We were solid on defense but inpatient on offense."

"We thought the game was sealed and that was unacceptable. We let them their players to gain confidence", he added.

Dante Exum was the key factor of the game, finishing with a career-high 22 points and 31 PIR.

"It's so difficult to arrive in the middle of the season. First time in the EuroLeague, where all is new to him. He has adapted incredibly. He is stepping up day-to-day", Saras praised the Australian guard.

"He read well the changing defenses. He is unstoppable in transition", added the Lithuanian mastermind about Exum, who renewed his contract until the end of the season.

Nick Calathes became the all-time assists leader of the EuroLeague, overtaking Vassilis Spanoulis.

"Good point guards did not play as many games in the past as of now," joked Saras. "This is history, it's a big honor for him. Nick gave us a lot, not only assists. When he is fine, the team works", he added.

Asked about the rotations and how he distributes the time playing, FC Barcelona's head coach pointed out: "We need everyone, but they need to perform well on the court. The opponent play too. Half of the team was not good today".

Jasikevicius ended the press conference mentioning the Russian teams' situation.

"For the moment they are just suspended. I do not care about how many teams there are in the league. Some teams now have the option to clinch an spot for the playoffs, but the EuroLeague is not giving a definitive answer" he concluded.

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