Ivanovic: 'I don't give up but I believe my team gave up' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

FC Barcelona (7-2) put on a show at Palau Blaugrana, defeating Bitci Baskonia (3-6) by 26 points (93-67). The Blaugranas had a maximum margin of 41 points at the start of the 4Q, 84-43.

Nikola Mirotic shined with 25 points and a career-high of 37 PIR in just 18 minutes of action.

Player of the Game EFF 37 Nikola Mirotic Points 25 Accuracy 8-8 Rebounds 8 Assists 2

"It was an amazing performance by the whole team. We played well offensively. We shared the ball and everybody scored. I am very happy about the team", underlined the 30-year-old power-forward, the Euroleague MVP in October.

Sarunas Jasikevicius could not hide his happiness after an outstanding performance by their players.

"Defense has been the main key of the game. Our first 15 minutes have been so good. In the previous Euroleague games, we did not start well, but we did today. We must enjoy tonight", began Barca's coach.

The Lithuanian mastermind had special words forMichael Caicedo, who scored his first two points in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague after a fastbreak.

"He was surprised when I called him in the second quarter", said Jasikevicius. "He is making steps, we have hope with him and other guys. We will use young people to practice. If they work and they deserve it, I will give them opportunities", he ensured.

Caicedo appeared in the mixed zone for the first time this season, showing an indelible smile on his face.

"I'm so thankful to the club. They are giving me a lot of opportunities. I enjoyed today being in the court. There are always nerves, but it's fun to play with the best players. They helped me a lot", admitted the youngster.

Apart from long-term injuredAlex Abrines, Cory Higgins also could not play due to lower back pain. Asked about that, Saras preferred to be cautious.

"We need to be extremely careful. Back is always subtle. He improved a bit, but we will see".

On the other hand, Dusko Ivanovic expressed his grief after another tough loss for Baskonia.

"We played a very bad game tonight, especially on defense. We had many, many problems on offense. It was a disastrous game", said theBalcanic coach.

Ivanovic talkedabout mentality as a possible explanation for what happened on the court.

"It can be a mental issue or a quality issue, but I am sure our mentality has an impact on that. Barcelona was not the problem, it was us".

Asked if he could be fired as Baskonia's coach, Ivanovic was totally clear with his answer.

"You asked me the same thing ten days ago. I will never give up. I don't give up but I believe my team gave up. For instance, we didn't fight tonight. We have to forget about it and come out with different energy and a different mentality", he concluded.

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