Expect playoffs-like intensity as Baskonia (3-4) welcomes high-flying Barcelona (6-1) for an intense Spanish derby between two teams in good form.
Roger Grimau, Barcelona: ' I am really happy to play against [Dusko] for the first time'
Seasons
3 Mins read
![Roger Grimau, Barcelona: ' I am really happy to play against [Dusko] for the first time'](https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/924ca804-a57b-4a5d-8507-78d255e0f93a.jpg?crop=2866%3A1612%3Anowe%3A0%3A30)
Regular Season
Round 8 of 34
Group Regular Season
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The return of coach Dusko Ivanovic has inspired Baskonia to two straight wins, and the hosts boast the league's top rebounder in Tadas Sedekerskis (9 rpg.). But the battle for inside dominance will be fierce as Barca lines up with in-form newcomers Willy Hernangomez and Jabari Parker, who combined for 38 points on 12-for-16 two-point shooting in last week's battling win over Zvezda. The backcourt features a pair of long-range shooting specialists, with Markus Howard (2.0 3PTM) going up against former Baskonia star Nicolas Laprovittola (2.6 3PTM).
Roger Grimau, Barcelona head coach
"It's a busy week, but with not many practices. You work on video mostly in between games. The first games after a new coach arrives it's hard to see a team settling down. But at this point I think we can see the Baskonia team that Dusko wants. In Vitoria it's never easy to play due to that atmosphere. Dusko is a person that I appreciate a lot and I am really happy to play against him for the first time. We have to worry about Markus Howard, because if he's hot it's very hard to stop him, but he does not have to be our only focus for this game."
Jabari Parker, Barcelona player
"Difficult teams, the competitiveness will always be there. It's a chance to get some wins on the road, but first of all we have to focus on Baskonia. We will take care of this one and then we will take care of the next one. I still can give much more. I am still working. We have six more months ahead of us in a long season."