Day 26 Euroleague: Baskonia - CSKA Moscow

* CSKA were attacking the pick´n´roll in defence. It means that whenever Baskonia were making a screen, the russians responded with help and recover when possible, or with a simple switch in other cases. Itoudis strategy said: i rather allow Baskonia´s big men to score a two point basket than allowing the guards a three point basket. The basque guards were left without any free looks to the rim from three points range (just 22%). On the other hand, that defence created missmatches, so Baskonia had impressive 60% from the two.

* Another defensive strategy of Itoudis was to change types of defence during the game, in order to confuse the opponent. When he changed to a 3-2 zone (which looked like Blatt´s match up zone) Baskonia´s guards looked lost.

* Baskonia started the game with several attempts to isolate Shengelia in the post. After three failed attempts, they gave up the idea and used Shengelia as a passer rather than a finisher. The big georgian played very smart, and didn´t force plays. He was the man of the match in my opinion, finishing with 9 points, 6 boards, 5 assists and 24 ranking.

* Adam Hanga is perhaps the most whole player in the Euroleague. There is a semi-philosophical debate in basketball: What would you rather have as a coach - a player who is perfect in one aspect of the game (e.g. Jaycee Carroll), or a player who is good/very good in many aspects? Hanga is, with no doubt, the second kind of player. The way Hanga played tonighe leaves no room for a dilemma.

* Sito Alonso with a good strategical desicion: instead of trying to stop Teodosic and De Colo at all costs, he tried to limit the other players in red. The two russian guards were responsible for more or less half of CSKA´s points and ranking. But the other players didn´t contribute much.

* CSKA, usually a mean offence machine, finished the first half with just 33 points. They actually shot with good precentage. They just didn´t receive many shot opportunities. Baskonia dictated a slow pace game (which also limited their offence). In the second half Sito Aloso decided to change pace and encouraged his players to run the court, even after they received a basket. It opened up the basque offence, and allowed them some three pointers and easy points. When CSKA tried a full court pressure, it just increased Baskonia´s pace.

* All along the night Baskonia looked better when Larkin was not their main playmaker.It was just not his night. Sito Alonso was brave enough to bench him in the second half, and to play almost ten minutes in the moeny time with less talented Laprovittola. 4 Minutes to the end, Larkin came back. Despite making some bad decisions, despite his moderate game until then, he nailed to last basket with a winner shot.

* 2 Minutes to the end, Itoudis sent Augustine to the court, after spending the entire second half on the bench. Genius: Augustine was sent to screen for Teodosic, using his huge body. It gave CSKA 8 crucial points: Two times a three pointer from Teodosic after a screen, and one basket of Augustine himself after he made the pick´n´roll.

#Euroleague #Baskonia #CSKAMoscow