Dusko Ivanovic critical of FIBA windows: 'The break hurt us a lot' / News - Basketnews.com

Ivanovic said the national team and cup break caused much more damage than it was initially anticipated. The team had to start everything anew and lost the character that made it successful earlier in the season, the coach declared.

Credit: Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS Credit Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz are in a tough spot both in the EuroLeague and in the Spanish Liga Endesa. The team's head coach, Dusko Ivanovic, sees the FIBA window in February as one of contributing factors.

2-pointers this season

55%19,3Points made:19,3Accuracy:55,4%Place in standings:14Record max:27Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Chima MonekeTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Baskonia didn't make it into the Copa del Rey this season. As such, the club's players had an extended time off without an official game before returning to play almost a month later.

The Basques didn't compete from February 11th until March 1st.

"That break has probably hurt us a lot. We lost the continuity of the work with some players who were out. Some players surely had a certain relaxation, but now we have to be in a good moment because we play games that decide the season," Ivanovic said via El Correo.

"This is the team we have, it has good and bad things. It is clear that we have to improve our defense. But this is an offensive team, its main weapon is the three-pointer," the coach said. "In the last few games, we are shooting very poorly, in bad situations. "We must improve and try to play quickly, with the quality we have in attack.

A win in either of the two remaining matchups will guarantee Baskonia a spot in the play-in tournament. With the matchups being against Real Madrid and Virtus Segafredo Bologna, both away, a victory is not a given.

"If we manage to play as a team and have the character we had before the break, we can play against everyone. If not, it will be difficult," Ivanovic concluded.

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