Anadolu Efes-Real Madrid: Whites out for fifth straight win
Scariolo's men will be playing in Istanbul on matchday 14 of the EuroLeague (6.15 pm CET).
Real Madrid began a gruelling final month of the year, with 10 games in 28 days, on the challenging Anadolu Efes court on matchday 14 of the EuroLeague. After the international break, Scariolo's team face their third consecutive away game after the victories over Coviran Granada and Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The Whites will be looking to continue their superb form, which has seen them win their last four games, with another away win in a particularly competitive EuroLeague. Real Madrid now sit in the playoff zone (7-6) but are only one win away from fourth place and two from the top spot. Anadolu Efes (5-8) are 15th, two wins ahead of the bottom team.
Injuries to former Real Madrid star Poirier, Larkin, PJ Dozier and Papagiannis at the start of the season have affected one of the Final Four contenders. Their recent defeats have led to Kokoskov's departure as head coach. Despite the situation, they boast high-quality players and a very dangerous perimeter: Cordinier, Weiler-Babb, Loyd and Beaubois. Inside, Osmani and Roland Smits are their focal points.
Real Madrid outperform their opponents in almost every statistical category: points scored and conceded, rebounds, assists, blocks, except for three-pointers. They will need to make the most of their inside prowess. They are the best team at shutting down rebounds, which is essential for them when it comes to their offensive play, with Lyles (16.4), Maledon (14.7), Tavares (14.6) and Campazzo (10.8) averaging double digits in scoring. The head-to-head record between the two teams in the EuroLeague is 29-17 in Madrid's favour, and today the Whites will be looking to make it five wins in a row.