Chus Mateo: “The key was the moment we stepped up our defense"
“We've been waiting for the playoff for a month and you could tell we wanted to kill the game off quickly," said Taveres.
Chus Mateo and Tavares assessed Real Madrid's win over Baskonia in game one of the League quarter-final playoffs. Following the clash at the Movistar Arena, the coach reflected: “The key was the moment we stepped up our defense. There was only one time we were able to open up a gap on the scoreboard, and that was when we defended as a team and stopped looking for rushed shots. We stopped losing balls and brought a bit of continuity to our play. That's the path we have to follow."
“It's a best-of-three playoff. We know the mental strain that brings, plus the fact we've won so many games in a row. Whether you like it or not, that does play on your mind, but I hope we can stop feeling those nerves that got to us at times and play a little better."
Game two
“Baskonia are a very dangerous team, given the quality and talent of their players, because of how quickly they play, and because they have the ability to hurt you from three. They are a real threat from the outside and it won't be an easy night in Vitoria.”
Tavares: “We have to be solid in defense for the full 40 minutes”
“We've been waiting for the playoff for a month and you could tell we wanted to kill the game off quickly. We have to learn to take it one step at a time and be solid in defense for the full 40 minutes. We know it'll be another difficult match."
His performance
“I struggled out there. It was the type of game where you didn't know what was going on because Baskonia are such an unpredictable team. But it is what it is, you have to adapt and put a shift in. If you can't do that, you don't win the game."