Zalgiris Kaunas will face Real Madrid in the EuroLeague Round 32 game at Zalgirio Arena.
Ahead of the game, Dustin Sleva spoke about the key strengths of the opponents, emphasizing their experience.
“This is a veteran team – they know how to play basketball the right way and they play fast. They’ve been in the league for many years and are the backbone of the team, so it won’t be easy. Most of their road losses came at the start of the season, so we shouldn’t make too much of that,” the American said.
Real’s roster includes David Kramer, who plays a limited role and averages 2.5 points per game – and who previously played alongside Sleva in Germany.
“It’s always fun to play against your friends – you want to compete and beat them so you can brag a little when you see them after the game or in the summer. But this game is very important for us, so we have to take it seriously,” Sleva noted.
Sleva also emphasized his role in disrupting the playmaking of Real’s guards, such as Facundo Campazzo.
“We play switch‑everything defense, so I have to force their guards into areas they don’t want to go. They’re great players who will try to create opportunities for themselves and their teammates. As a forward, it’s important for me to stick to the game plan and force them into tough shots,” he explained.
He also recalled the previous matchup in Madrid, where Sylvain Francisco exploded for 33 points but Real ultimately prevailed, 99-100.
“I hope Sylvain drops 35 and this time we win by one. It depends on the game and the opponent’s game plan. If someone is hot, you have to let him play. Sylvain is one of our main guys, so if he’s hot, we have to let Sylvain be Sylvain,” Sleva said.
The Zalgiris vs. Real Madrid game tips off on Friday at 20:00.