CSKA vs. Zalgiris Kaunas: 84-71
Evgeny Pashutin, CSKA head coach:
“I am glad that we finished Top 16 on a high note and I am thankful to all the guys for their approach. We had a chance to use wide rotation from the very beginning, everyone who was coming from the bench strengthened the game. We were out of rhythm in the first quarter, Zalgiris was well-prepared and stopped our fast break. Then we re-adjusted, started to play better defense, stopped their scorers – Brown, Kalnietis, Salenga and Capin. The third quarter was a key to the game: we used two power forwards and Mensah-Bonsu was a hero of the night. I am glad for Pops who was just sensational. I hope that the difficult adaptation period is over for him and he will help us in future. Mensah-Bonsu is a great guy, he fits just right for the team and all the teammates are trying to help him. I am sure that’s only a beginning. Now all our thoughts are about play-offs, and we will start our preparations as soon as we will know our opponent.”
Darius Maskoliunas, Zalgiris head coach:
“My congratulations to CSKA with their quarterfinal qualification, good game and today’s win. As we said to the players before the game, all the games are important in the Euroleague. CSKA proved that by using all the best players, by playing in full strength. We are weaker today. I can’t say we were surprised as it was our fourth game this season. But there were some moments when we could not stop their fast breaks and our young players looked lost.”
