Bologna –

Coach Scariolo post-game: “They played a great game. Every time we got close they had two or three big shots or big plays in the air. You have to accept that they are a super, top-level team. But at the same time, I think in the second half we showed less fear. In the first half, I think we were less convinced that we could play. We were trying difficult things that typically don’t work against size and top teams.

“I have to take my hat off to Real Madrid tonight. They played a great game at both ends of the floor. They were really filling the paint defensively and forcing us to take bad shots, which we didn’t want to do. That was our mistake in the first half. We were 4-of-18 on two-pointers and we had 40% on threes. We knew it would be almost impossible to shoot under their rim, especially when [Walter] Tavares was on the floor. But we still managed to get back to 8 points [down]. Then we had the crazy last minutes. But we fought. We played with pride, with commitment. We had some very good minutes in the second half. We were a couple of times very, very close to opening up the game completely. But the class of Real Madrid players – in this case, Mario Hezonja – killed the game with three-pointers. Some were not well defended, some were absolutely well defended. But he proved that he played many years in the NBA. And we have to accept that and shake his hand. In general, I think in the second half we showed our real face when we are committed, when we are together, when we play defense, when we share the ball. But our start was a little shy. I understand that Real Madrid is imposing in a lot of respects and of course we owe them respect, but you’ve got to try to use your weapons. Of course, we were short-handed tonight, but congrats to Real Madrid. They are a top team and good luck to them in the playoffs.”