Real Madrid-Fenerbahçe: looking to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs
Chus Mateo's men will be looking for the win that would ensure they finish the Regular Season in the top four (8:45pm CEST).
Real Madrid this evening have their first chance to make sure home-court advantage will be on their side in the EuroLeague playoffs. With four games to go until the end of the Regular Season and battling for top spot, Chus Mateo's team welcome fifth-placed Fenerbahçe, who they lead by three wins. It will be the first of a EuroLeague double-header this week and a total of three games in five days Friday vs. Partizan and Sunday vs. Coviran Granada.
This season is turning into one of the most hotly-contested in EuroLeague history and today our team is in prime position to clinch a hugely important goal heading into the playoffs. But they won't settle just for that - they're going after first place. Chus Mateo's boys sit level at the summit with Olympiacos. They have beaten Italian sides in both of their last two games 91-87 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and 79-96 against Virtus Bologna. Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe got the better of Zalgiris in their last clash and are fighting to seal a place in the knock-out round to play for a place in the Final Four.
This season is turning into one of the most hotly-contested in EuroLeague history and today our team is in prime position to clinch a hugely important goal heading into the playoffs. But they won't settle just for that - they're going after first place. Chus Mateo's boys sit level at the summit with Olympiacos. They have beaten Italian sides in both of their last two games 91-87 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and 79-96 against Virtus Bologna. Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe got the better of Zalgiris in their last clash and are fighting to seal a place in the knock-out round to play for a place in the Final Four.
It will be a battle between two offensive powerhouses. Madrid are scoring an average of 85.2 points, one more than tonight's opponents. Our squad are enjoying a purple patch up top right now, having averaged 96.3 points in their last three League and EuroLeague games, topped with a 102 against Carplus Fuenlabrada last Sunday. But the key to this one lies in defense. Chus Mateo's team boast the competition's best 77.3 points against. Fenerbahçe are sure to put that solidity to the test, given their enormous physical prowess with athletic centers Motley and Hayes-Davis and a point-stacked perimeter. That fact has only been enhanced by the arrival of Dorsey, who joins Wilbekin, Guduric and Pierre, among others, all led by Calathes.
Madridista strength
Far from being a team of individuals, Madrid are first and foremost a unit. That is reflected in the fact each of the last three matchday MVPs have been our boys: Deck on MD 28, Musa on MD 29 and Yabusele on MD 30. Alongside Tavares, they have been the standout performers of this EuroLeague campaign. Tonight will be the 33rd time we've crossed paths with Fenerbahçe, the head-to-head going in our favour at 22-10.
Madridista strength
Far from being a team of individuals, Madrid are first and foremost a unit. That is reflected in the fact each of the last three matchday MVPs have been our boys: Deck on MD 28, Musa on MD 29 and Yabusele on MD 30. Alongside Tavares, they have been the standout performers of this EuroLeague campaign. Tonight will be the 33rd time we've crossed paths with Fenerbahçe, the head-to-head going in our favour at 22-10.