Real Madrid bounce back to consolidate league lead

Real Madrid completed a fantastic week at home. On Friday, they beat Barcelona in the EuroLeague and this Sunday they picked up another win at the Movistar Arena, this time against Valencia Basket in the Liga Endesa. After a first quarter that was dominated by the visitors, the Whites reacted brilliantly to produce an outstanding second period that took the clash to 43-43 at half-time. In the second half, the Madridistas crowned the comeback with a brilliant collective performance, winning the battle between the top two teams to consolidate their lead in the competition. Hezonja (23 points and 23 in PIR), Deck (11 and 18), Llull (14 and 15) and Kramer (14 and 14) were the team's standout performers.

Valencia Basket started better thanks to their accuracy from the perimeter: two three-pointers from Nate Reuvers and others from Jean Montero and López-Arostegui. Kramer, Tavares and Abalde reduced the gap, but the strong zone defence of the two teams slowed the pace of the scoring (6-12; min. 7). The visitors continued to hit three-pointers, with another two from Darius Thompson and one from Badio, to take the first quarter (9-24; min. 10).

Real Madrid level the contest
Lyles and Llull, who each hit a three-pointer, put an end to the Madridistas' poor shooting (17-30; min. 13). The team stepped up the pace and Llull and Garuba stepped up to the fore, reducing their opponents' lead to 8 points (32-40; min. 17). Then Hezonja (with two three-pointers), Kramer and Tavares managed to turn the score around to put our team ahead (42-40; min. 9), which went to the break with the score level after a big 34-19 run (43-43).

The comeback materialises
After the break: a brilliant Hezonja, with 9 points; a three-pointer by Maledon, and another basket by Kramer, countered Jean Montero's 8 points to put Real Madrid up by 6 points (57-51; min. 24). The home side controlled the rebounding, which Hezonja (two consecutive three-pointers) and Maledon took advantage of to increase the lead to 65-71. Garuba, Campazzo and Llull set themselves on track, taking the game into the final quarter with a +16 advantage (76-60).

The Madridistas held the initiative in the final quarter, despite Valencia Basket's push. Three-pointers from Deck, Lyles, Kramer and Hezonja countered baskets from Braxton, Costello and Pradilla (90-73; min. 36). The visitors scored several consecutive baskets, but it did not deny Real Madrid the win (94-79; min. 40).

Statistics from Real Madrid-Valencia Basket