Apr 29, 2021
by Euroleague.net
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It was clear going into the series that rebounding could be a decisive factor. Never was this more true than in FC Barcelona's 70-78 road win in Game 3 on Wednesday during which the visitors outrebounded Zenit 26-39. What's more, it had 14 offensive rebounds and scored 19 second-chance points.
For Barcelona, the points on the offensive glass were by design. Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius expected the likes of Zenit big men Tarik Black and Alex Poythress to switch and challenge on defense and he had his players ready.
"We were ready to suffer. That's what I call these baskets at the end of possessions when Zenit jump switches with a point guard in their defense at the end and it's just time to suffer a little bit," Saras explained after the game. "And if we cannot punish the great defense of Zenit, we must punish it with offensive rebounds. This was important. Our guys understood it."