Laso: “This victory is like winning two games'
“It was an amazing win in front of our fans, they were our sixth man', said Heurtel after the win over Olympiacos.
Pablo Laso and Thomas Heurtel assessed Real Madrid's win over Olympiacos at the WiZink Center. The coach reflected following the clash: “I'd like to congratulate the team on the win because we knew it would be very tough. We've won two games today. The first was clinching the victory and the second, the basket average, which we managed to do in the final few plays. We played well in the first half, we lacked energy but we played well. In the second, we played with greater energy and it's like seeing two different teams. We changed the pace of the game. I could have been critical of the team for their first half and very proud of the second. I'll focus on both and head hope happy with the win. We have a deluge of games which means we have to move on quickly and start thinking about Friday'.
“I don't think Heurtel played well just because of the points he scored, which he did and it's great for him, but he was able to carry the team brilliantly in all sorts of situations. It might just have been one of his best games for us. He did an awful lot of things that I value really well and I'm delighted with his performance'.
Different energy
“The load of games may be why we don't have so much energy at times. We have 2-3 games some weeks and we've played more than 40 already so it's not easy to maintain those energy and concentration levels, but we're Real Madrid and we have to understand it's in our DNA. I'm really happy with how the team responded in the second half, which was enough to win a big Euroleague game, but we have to show better intensity'.
“I don't think Heurtel played well just because of the points he scored, which he did and it's great for him, but he was able to carry the team brilliantly in all sorts of situations. It might just have been one of his best games for us. He did an awful lot of things that I value really well and I'm delighted with his performance'.
Different energy
“The load of games may be why we don't have so much energy at times. We have 2-3 games some weeks and we've played more than 40 already so it's not easy to maintain those energy and concentration levels, but we're Real Madrid and we have to understand it's in our DNA. I'm really happy with how the team responded in the second half, which was enough to win a big Euroleague game, but we have to show better intensity'.
Unbeaten at home
“I'm pleased with that stat. We need that warmth from the fans and it's exactly what we got. The Palacio helped us and we need them because we're playing against great teams. In the second half we really got the feeling the fans were right behind us driving us on, reacting to how the team were performing. That relationship was crucial in coming through this game. It's a great record. It's been a lot of games against very good teams and you can always have one that might get away from you if you don't play well. Every game is difficult and we're closer to our goal of making the play-offs, and then being among the top four'.
Deck and Taylor absent
“They both need to rest for a few days. Muscle issues are difficult with so many games. Hanga is out too but we hope to have him back for Friday. I like to have everyone available, even if it's then difficult to leave people out. We'll wait for a little bit but we have to assess them both and I think it's unlikely they will play this week'.
Heurtel: “This win feels especially good'
“It's a win that feels especially good after what was not a very good first half, where we struggled for accuracy and lacked energy. In the second half, we found it and we won it by 22 points, which is a fantastic result. The difference was the energy we put across. It was totally different to the first half and that was reflected in the score'.
The fans' support
“We have a very tough calendar. We play against really good teams every two days. We picked up a fantastic win today in front of our fans. I felt great, full of energy, shooting well and I'm happy. They transmitted their energy to us and really were our sixth man'.
“I'm pleased with that stat. We need that warmth from the fans and it's exactly what we got. The Palacio helped us and we need them because we're playing against great teams. In the second half we really got the feeling the fans were right behind us driving us on, reacting to how the team were performing. That relationship was crucial in coming through this game. It's a great record. It's been a lot of games against very good teams and you can always have one that might get away from you if you don't play well. Every game is difficult and we're closer to our goal of making the play-offs, and then being among the top four'.
Deck and Taylor absent
“They both need to rest for a few days. Muscle issues are difficult with so many games. Hanga is out too but we hope to have him back for Friday. I like to have everyone available, even if it's then difficult to leave people out. We'll wait for a little bit but we have to assess them both and I think it's unlikely they will play this week'.
Heurtel: “This win feels especially good'
“It's a win that feels especially good after what was not a very good first half, where we struggled for accuracy and lacked energy. In the second half, we found it and we won it by 22 points, which is a fantastic result. The difference was the energy we put across. It was totally different to the first half and that was reflected in the score'.
The fans' support
“We have a very tough calendar. We play against really good teams every two days. We picked up a fantastic win today in front of our fans. I felt great, full of energy, shooting well and I'm happy. They transmitted their energy to us and really were our sixth man'.