Sarunas Jasikevicius: Zalgiris won't make Euroleague playoffs

Longtime European legend Sarunas Jasikevicius, an assistant coach for Zalgiris Kaunas, said hopes of reaching the Euroleague playoffs are likely dead for the Lithuania powerhouse. 

Following a 79-72 road loss in Israel to his former sweetheart and reigning Euro-champs Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jasikevicius criticized his players.

"We didn't play a good game. We were very soft," Jasikevicius told Sportando.

"Both games against Maccabi were must wins for us and we lost both opportunities to put ourselves in a better position," the Lithuanian mega star added.

Zalgiris have dropped the No. 7 seed riding a negative 4-7 record with three games remaining in the Top-16 and possibly two games (depending on tonight's Euroleague results) behind the No. 4 spot -- leading to the playoffs.

Zalgiris lost to Maccabi in the previous round 73-66 in Kaunas, and swallowed a tough 78-69 road loss against rock bottom Galatasaray.

Losses that pull the curtain down on Zalgiris' Euro-campaign.

"We let both Maccabi games, and the loss against Galatasaray, slip away. All of them really hurt us. This is the reason we won't advance to the playoffs," Jasikevicius said. 

Article by David Pick

Twitter: @IAmDPick