Real Madrid-Alba Berlin: going for another WiZink Center win
Our team face Round 11 in the EuroLeague before the FIBA international break (8:45 pm CET).
Real Madrid welcome Alba Berlin to the WiZink Center this evening for their only game of the week, ahead of the FIBA international break. Chus Mateo's boys go in search of their fifth EuroLeague win as they look to continue their unbeaten run against the German outfit.
Our boys come into the game as one of the best performers on home turf: four wins in five games. Up the other end, a team yet to win on the road and sitting bottom of the table. Their only two wins so far have come at home against Milan and Asvel. Madrid will want to head into the break on a high, knowing they face a week away from the WiZink Center afterwards, including the EuroLeague Clásico (Thursday, 28 November at 8:45 pm) and trip to Joventut (Sunday, 1 December at 6:30pm)
Key clashes in the paint
Alba Berlin is one of the most active teams in the competition inside, boasting the third-best rebound stats and second on blocks. Most of their points come from near the hoop, with a 56.1% success rate on two-point field goals. They have two point-scoring point guards in Hermannsson and former academy player Spagnolo. Their forward duo is also a threat (Procida and Bean), while inside the height and intimidation factor of Williams and Wetzell is well known. Madrid must capitalize on their defensive weaknesses, where they've conceded an average of almost 90 points to date. Our boys spread their points around, with 7 players sitting between 7 and 14.
Three-pointers mark the way for Madrid
If the team looks comfortable from three, they're well on the way to victory. That much was evident last week - in the EuroLeague clash with Anadolu Efes, Chus Mateo's boys posted 5 triples and were restricted to just 64 points. Meanwhile, in the win over Hiopos Lleida they'd hit 10 inside the first half, going for a total of 12 from 16. The same was true against Virtus Bologna - 15 triples and a comfortable win; and Maccabi - just 6, and defeat. This will be the 17th game between the two teams in the EuroLeague, with the madridistas yet to lose a single one.