Scariolo: "We have to be able to respond well physically and mentally"
"We have to be very focused, because Partizan are an aggressive team and like to run," explained Okeke.
Scariolo and Okeke spoke ahead of Real Madrid-Partizan, corresponding to the fourth round of the Euroleague (8:45 pm CEST). The coach spoke about the game to be played at the Movistar Arena: "This week we have to play against two teams that both have an extra day to rest and prepare for the next game. We have to be able to respond well physically and mentally. In this case, against a team that will be very well prepared like all of Obradovic's teams and that has a lot of talent and physicality in most of their players."
"Partizan has major scoring ability. Jones on the inside, very vertical point guards, etc... A lot of skilled players and quality. On the other hand, we're aware that we want to maintain our positive streak in the Euroleague. We have to play a quality game and be able to compete and get a positive result, playing the best game we are capable of at this stage."
Playing at home
"Every game is important. We have to be solid and careful at home. Also, we have to be more focused in hostile environments. We're playing at home and we want to earn the fans' support. It's going to be a long game. They are a team that always gets back into the game, they have a good mentality and a core of players who know how to play together. The 9 or 10 who play are of a very high level."
Injuries
"Maledon is making progresss. I don't know how much he can give, but I hope he gets some game time. And then we'll consider Abalde, who is the other player who is still injured."
State of the team
"The team is ready to compete and are looking forward to returning to the Euroleague and doing it at home. We will try to show how the team are improving in many areas, but also with the awareness that we lack the ability to be more focused and solid when it comes to finishing off games."
Okeke: ‘We are having a good feeling at home’.
"We have a very tight schedule and we can't stop for too long to think about past games. Partizan is a very aggressive team, they like to run and we have to be very focused and try to shoot well so that they can't."
"We've had positive sensations at home and we want to continue projecting them on the court in front of our fans. We have to continue with that chemistry between us and that communication to try to continue with the good run at home."