Real Madrid-Asvel: aiming for more points on the board in playoff chase
Laso's men play the first of two games this week at the WiZink Center tonight (8:45pm CET).
This week sees two home games for Real Madrid, who play Euroleague matchday 30 against Asvel Villeurbanne tonight before hosting Baxi Manresa in the League on Sunday morning. Our team will have all eyes on another victory which will help them in their quest to secure home-court advantage for the playoffs. There are just 6 Regular Season fixtures left. Laso will have Williams-Goss back available today for a clash against opposition looking to bring an end to a poor run.
It's a big match in the context of this stage's closing stretch given it will be the last one at the WiZink Center before three incredibly tough tests on the road against Anadolu Efes, Maccabi and Panathinaikos. Madrid remain in an optimum position to finish among the top four. Taking into account default wins over the Russian sides, they sit in second with the same number of wins 21 as first place, having played a game more. Without them, our team would sit on 17 wins, one less than first place but 6 more than ninth, Monaco, meaning they would already be sure of a playoff place and within touching distance of clinching home-court advantage. Tonight they take on an Asvel team who have lost their last seven.
It's a big match in the context of this stage's closing stretch given it will be the last one at the WiZink Center before three incredibly tough tests on the road against Anadolu Efes, Maccabi and Panathinaikos. Madrid remain in an optimum position to finish among the top four. Taking into account default wins over the Russian sides, they sit in second with the same number of wins 21 as first place, having played a game more. Without them, our team would sit on 17 wins, one less than first place but 6 more than ninth, Monaco, meaning they would already be sure of a playoff place and within touching distance of clinching home-court advantage. Tonight they take on an Asvel team who have lost their last seven.
Laso's boys come into the game having beaten Olimpia Milan in a direct clash for the top spots to bring their poor run to an end. They have also returned to form in offense over the last two games, posting 92 against the Italians and 85 against Hereda San Pablo Burgos. It's sure to be a physically demanding affair against a hugely athletic French team who are aggressive in defense and boast good two-point percentages. Okobo and Jones are two top quality explosive point guards, while Knight and the newly recovered Lighty give them even greater offensive resources. On the inside they have height in Fall, experience in Gist and the mobility and shooting of Osetkowski.
Head-to-heads favour Madrid
Our team won the first-round clash in France by 74-87, with special mention for the trio of Causeur, Yabusele and Tavares 64 PIR between them. Real Madrid have been dominant in previous meetings, coming out on top in 6 of the 7 games played, the last 5 in a row. Today could see Tavares play his 340th madridista game to equal Ayón as the fourth-highest foreign appearance-maker in our club's history.
Head-to-heads favour Madrid
Our team won the first-round clash in France by 74-87, with special mention for the trio of Causeur, Yabusele and Tavares 64 PIR between them. Real Madrid have been dominant in previous meetings, coming out on top in 6 of the 7 games played, the last 5 in a row. Today could see Tavares play his 340th madridista game to equal Ayón as the fourth-highest foreign appearance-maker in our club's history.