Real Madrid-Baskonia: Whites aiming for 13th EuroLeague win

Real Madrid host Baskonia at the Movistar Arena with the goal of registering their 13th EuroLeague victory before tackling the next three games away from home in the space of just seven days (Monaco, Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe).

Matchday 23 of the EuroLeague is the prelude to a gruelling month and a half during which the Whites will be staking a large part of their aspirations in this competition on the road. And they also have the Copa del Rey in between. After that, they will visit Monaco (31 January), Anadolu Efes (4 February) and Fenerbahce (6 February) before the cup. The Madridistas will then host Barça (27 February) and travel to Panathinaikos (6 March) and Virtus Bologna (13 March). The standings are wide open and there is only a one-win difference between 4th and 12th.

Madrid are up against a familiar opponent. This season, the two teams are evenly matched. Baskonia won in the first round of the EuroLeague (76-72) and Madrid won in the league at the Buesa Arena on 6 January (82-89), with Musa being the MVP of the matchday (29 points and 38 in PIR). The team from Vitoria sit in 15th place. They beat Panathinaikos last time out and their latest defeats have been by one or two points. The Madridistas will be determined to continue their fine run of form: 12 wins in their last 14 games.

The two best rebounders
Baskonia (36.5) and Real Madrid (36.2) are the two most powerful teams in the competition. Tavares leads the individual rankings (7.7) and Hezonja is rebounding better than ever (5.2).  Along with Garuba, Ndiaye and company, the Whites will have to pay special attention in this area against a highly dangerous opponent from three-point range and on the counter-attack, with gifted players like Howard and Luwawu-Cabarrot. The arrival of Simanic has provided them with a greater presence in the paint with Hall and Moneke. Madrid are on a strong offensive run. Last week they averaged 100 points in three games.