Real Madrid

Real Madrid earned an important victory in Seville over Banca Civica this evening just before the stoppage in the league due to next weekend's Copa del Rey. The Whites' excellent defence and their great work in offence allowed them to bank 11 three-pointers. Suarez, Mirotic, Singler, Carroll, Velickovic and Mirotic either reached or surpassed the 10-point barrier.

Pablo Laso's men were aware that their defensive attitude would affect the pace to the game. Banca Civica only scored 11 points in the first period (11-15), and they could have left them further behind on the scoreboard had it not been for the locals' solid rebounds in offence and Real's lack of aim on the three-point line (Pocius banked the first on the 9-minute mark). Begic made two personal fouls in the opening minutes and was replaced by Reyes, whose job in the paint was inspiring, scoring 75% of the team's points with Mirotic in the first act.

Real Madrid played a faster game in the second quarter. Two three-pointers from Carroll and another by Llull distanced them on the scoreboard. Velickovic was in form and also helped destroy the local defence. Real played a fast and efficient game in offence, taking an 18-point lead after having a 3-13 run (19-37, 15'). Up to then, only two three-pointers by Calloway had gone through the visiting defence, but the locals breathed in air when Carroll made a third personal and managed to pull off a 7-0 run (26-39, 20').

Real Madrid crushed Banca Civica's hopes with an amazing performance after half-time, scoring up to six three-pointers in five minutes and having a 32-12 run (38-71, 30'). The Madridistas even enlarged their lead despite already looking a bit distracted due to maybe thinking about the Copa del Rey in the final period (63-98, 40').