Dusko Ivanovic names criteria to get into EuroLeague play-in / News - Basketnews.com

With all players set to play against Partizan, Dusko Ivanovic said Baskonia need to win two more games to be in the EuroLeague play-in tournament. Having previously coached Crvena Zvezda, Ivanovic named fans as a crucial component of the game against Partizan on Tuesday.

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

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz are on the verge of EuroLeague playoffs. Looking at the future matchups, the team's head coach, Dusko Ivanovic, named what the club will need to get to the play-in stage.

Free throws this season

76%13,7Points made:13,7Accuracy:76,3%Place in standings:6Record max:22Record min:6Most made FTs:Chima MonekeTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"I think we are very close, but we could also be very far. We have four away games left and one at home, while our rivals have a much better schedule. To enter the play-in - which pits seventh against eighth and ninth against tenth - we have to win at least two games," Ivanovic said to Angel Resa from El Correo.

Baskonia currently have 16 wins and 13 losses in their account and currently sit in 8th place in the EuroLeague standings, two victories away from the 6th spot that guarantees a spot in the playoffs.

Despite the projection of two must-win games, Ivanovic stressed that the approach has to remain the same.

"You only have to look at the first game [in front of you]," he said. "Until the end, each one of them in the ACB and in the EuroLeague is decisive for us. We are aware that if we play aggressively on defense, we will always have a chance of winning against any team. And that we only depend on ourselves."

The first challenge will come against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Tuesday. While Nikos Rogkavopoulos missed Baskonia's last game in the Spanish Liga Endesa against Coviran Granada on Saturday, he is set to join team practices.

All other players are set to play.

"I hope we can all be there. What happened with Chima [Moneke] on Saturday was more a scare than anything else. And Rogka is better. I hope he can train normally today," the coach said.

"We must do some things much better in defense because Partizan is a team with a lot of talent in attack. [They have] players with the ability to score many points in one-on-one, pick-and-roll situations," Ivanovic declared. "They have lost quite a few games by one or two points - specifically 84-83 in Vitoria - that they should've won. But in front of their audience, they win those types of games."

Baskonia will have to battle not only against Partizan players but also against the world-renowned fans, who have set a EuroLeague attendance record that stands until today.

It will be a crucial game for Partizan, fighting for the chance at the play-in. Before becoming the head coach of Baskonia for the fourth time in his career, Ivanovic previously coached Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and got a chance to experience the hostile crowd numerous times first-hand.

"Their crowd does something special. It is very difficult to play there or it can also be very good," the coach said.

"Performing in that special environment has to be an inspiration for my players, a boost for them. It is a key factor in this match because at home Partizan always starts with euphoria, very aggressively, fast, and with a very high success rate. Their fans push them, and their players give more of themselves," Ivanovic concluded.

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