Real Madrid-Surne Bilbao Basket: leaders in search of another victory
Chus Mateo's side will play their second game in less than 48 hours at the WiZink Center (6.30pm CET).
Real Madrid host Surne Bilbao Basket on matchday 19 of the Liga Endesa. The league leaders, who played on Friday in Monaco, will be looking for their 17th win at the WiZink Center against mid-table opposition, who they had difficulty beating away from home in the first half of the season.
This will be a demanding game for the Whites, with barely a day and a half's rest since the last EuroLeague outing. Chus Mateo's men are up against Surne Bilbao Basket, who will be looking to overcome their negative run of form (3 wins in the last 13 games). Madrid will be determined to get back to winning ways in the league. Their only game in this competition at the WiZink Center in 2024 was against Valencia Basket and their record at home this season is eight wins and one defeat.
Madrid will have to demonstrate that they are the best offensive force in the competition, averaging almost 90 points per game. They face a team that defends better than it attacks. Ponsarnau's men are dominant in rebounding and in intimidation, with two of the best blockers in the league (Killeya-Jones and Hlinason). However, their biggest strength is from the three-point line in the form of Smith, ex-Madrid player Pantzar and Kullamae. They have also strengthened with the American Hornsby. The Whites welcome back Rudy, Musa and Poirier on Friday. Tavares and Llull continue with their recovery processes.
Winning run stretching back 10 years
In the first leg, Madrid secured a narrow 84-87 win with 21 points from Campazzo. The madridistas have won nine straight games at the WiZink Center against Bilbao, dating back to the 2012/13 season.