Report
01 February 2012
Edu Bueno / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
Pablo Laso's side defeated Gescrap Bizkaia to earn a second victory in the Top 16. Sergio Rodirguez (20 points, 7 assists, 5 received fouls) led Real Madrid with a stunning performance. The 16-point win gives the Whites a strong chance to finish the round as group leaders with three games left in the Top 16.
Both sides defended well at the start, but Rodriguez soon grabbed the reins of the clash, motivated by something Jackson whispered in his ear in a scuffle. The point guard served assists to Suarez and Mirotic, and orchestrated his teammates' every move, helping them have an 11-3 run (26-16, 10').
Mumbru and Banic were Bilbao's best men up to that point, but the team as a whole suffered as it tried to score. The Whites' tall men kept them at bay and proved they can also play a static offence game, with patience and a nack for driving the visiting defence crazy. Real Madrid scored with ease through a solid Carroll (seven points in as many minutes) and Begic, who gave his best performance as a Madridista yet. The centre dominated the game under both irons and proved unstoppable for Fischer and Mavroeidis, scoring 12 points in nine minutes (48-30).
Gescrap woke up after half-time and scored a three-pointer through Mumbru on the 22-minute mark. He and Banic cut distances short (55-48, 24'), complicating things for the locals. Rodriguez stepped up his game again and neutralised Bilbao's run. Llull then netted a three-pointer that put Real 16 points in the lead at the end of the third period (69-53).
Bilbao had a 0-10 run in the final quarter due to being more aggressive and to facing a weaker local defence (70-65). Llull positioned himself as shooting guard to mark Vasileiadis and help Rodriguez spearheaded a local comeback that was sealed by Singler in the final minute (89-73).