Real Madrid-Asvel: looking for a second EuroLeague win
Scariolo's boys play Round 3 in the competition at the Movistar Arena (9:00 pm CEST).
Real Madrid welcome Asvel Villeurbanne to the Movistar Arena this evening for Round 3 of the EuroLeague. Our team got underway at home last week with an impressive win over Olympiacos, and will now be hoping to remain unbeaten on home turf to clinch a second point in the competition.
Both teams have one win and one defeat to their names so far. In what is being labelled the most demanding EuroLeague season ever (only three teams have won their first two games), picking up points at home will be vital. Scariolo's boys now have two consecutive games at the Movistar Arena (the other comes next Wednesday against Partizan).
EuroLeague's best defense
We're only two games into the season, but Madrid's defensive solidity is already clear. They have conceded the fewest points so far, restricting opponents to an average of 75.5 per game. But perhaps their greatest virtue is the depth of their squad. In the League clash with Gran Canaria, four players hit double digits on points scored.
Our team's record at the back is sure to be put to the test tonight, though. Asvel are averaging 89.5 points per game and make almost 40% of their shots from three. They're a physical unit that has maintained the spine of recent years, led by De Colo. The Frenchman has started the season on fire (20 PIR), while reinforcements have arrived in the form of American duo Watson and Seljaas. This will be the 15th clash between the madridistas and the French team, with the head-to-head making positive reading for our boys at 12-2. Real Madrid have beaten Asvel in all of their last six visits, last time out in March, an 81-70 victory powered by 23 points for Tavares.