2024-07-04 11:02:32
The Lithuanian men’s basketball team finally won (97:93) the second match of Group A of the Olympic Games qualifiers, and D. Sabonis showed his best face in the attack in this match.
The center scored 22 points in 28 minutes (9/11 doubles, 0/1 triples, 4/6 penalties), grabbed 9 balls and finished the game with 24 utility points.
“It was a very good team, played well and knocked us out. I know we showed character in the fourth quarter.
We learned from such matches that we must not panic. To play such a match, trailing by 9 points in the fourth quarter, to come back and win in the fourth quarter… such a match will be beneficial”, D. Sabonis reviewed the match.
“We have to wake up faster. We knew that they will be physical, we have to play in such a way that our strengths are highlighted, because we are too playful”, added D. Sabonis.
The Sacramento Kings basketball player tried to “warm up” his ankles in the press zone, and earlier it was reported that the basketball player is currently suffering from pain.
This was confirmed by D. Sabonis himself, who did not specify what he had.
“Nothing… this is basketball, you have to play through pain. I can’t say anything,” said D. Sabonis about the pain.
In the semi-final stage, our team will face the team that took the second place in Group B, early Friday morning Lithuanian time (the match starts at 3:30 a.m.), where the teams of Puerto Rico and Italy will play.
“It will be hard. We know that the opponents will play a lot of turnover defense, so we will have to prepare for such a game,” said D. Sabonis.
– Against the Mexican national team, you broke the game in the third quarter, and now – DKK basketball players did it against you. What happened?
– I don’t know… We want to win this selection, we had to change something. Everyone came together in the fourth quarter.
– Is physicality the biggest problem of the national team?
– I think so. Everyone plays physically in the selection, the referees allow everyone to fight.
– In the fourth quarter, with the efforts of you and Mariaus Grigonis, you returned to the game and scored 21 points together. Was there an additional burden?
– We both said we have to play a pick and roll (two on two) and we will create a play. Marius has been playing in the national team for so many years… he creates the game both for himself and for others and is one of the leaders.
– Where do mistakes in attack come from?
– The game. We all want to help each other, but in the end we just have to play our game.
– How are you getting into the trainer’s plan?
– We are still trying. In every game, I want to try to help the team win in the end.
– What is wrong with your leg, which you often massage?
– I don’t know how such things came out of the locker room.
– How limiting is leg pain?
– Nothing… this is basketball, you have to play through pain.
2024-07-04 11:02:32