Real Madrid v Maccabi: EuroLeague playoff gets up and running
Laso's charges will be looking to claim the first point in the best-of-five series at the
WiZink Center (9pm CET).
WiZink Center (9pm CET).
Tonight sees Real Madrid take to the WiZink Center for the first game in the EuroLeague playoff series against Maccabi. The whites will be looking to take the lead in a best-of-five showdown, in which our team boast home-court advantage. This is a historic match-up and is the most-played fixture in European Cup history as the two teams with 16 continental trophies collide. On the only previous occasion in which the teams have met at this stage of competition, the madridistas qualified for the Final Four 11 years ago.
This is an important week in terms of Laso’s men's hope of taking their place in Belgrade on 19 May. The Whites face two installments of the series on its own floor in the space of 48 hours and these games could well determine the outcome of what looks set to be a very evenly matched contest or at least that is what this season's results would suggest. In the head-to-head stakes, each team has one win to their name, with both of those victories having been secured courtesy of comebacks. Madrid ran out 72-70 winners at the WiZink Center, whilst Maccabi claimed a 75-74 triumph at the Menora Mivtachim Arena. Home-court advantage could play a key role and our team head into the series with that advantage after having finished the Regular Season in fourth spot and with a win more to their name than the Israelis, who finished in fifth place.
This is an important week in terms of Laso’s men's hope of taking their place in Belgrade on 19 May. The Whites face two installments of the series on its own floor in the space of 48 hours and these games could well determine the outcome of what looks set to be a very evenly matched contest or at least that is what this season's results would suggest. In the head-to-head stakes, each team has one win to their name, with both of those victories having been secured courtesy of comebacks. Madrid ran out 72-70 winners at the WiZink Center, whilst Maccabi claimed a 75-74 triumph at the Menora Mivtachim Arena. Home-court advantage could play a key role and our team head into the series with that advantage after having finished the Regular Season in fourth spot and with a win more to their name than the Israelis, who finished in fifth place.
One look at the statistics also shows the parity between the two teams. They are very evenly matched in the scoring stakes 82 to Maccabi’s 78, whilst our team allow five points fewer than the Israelis 78 to 73. The teams boast amongst two of the most powerful interior games in European basketball. The battle on rebounds, in which Madrid are the competition’s standout performers, will be one of the key areas. Laso’s lots will be up against a team that come into the match in fine form after having won each of their last six match-ups and that have a very balanced team throughout the court. Wilbekin, Evans and Nunnally represent the biggest threats on the outside, whilst Williams, Zizic and Reynolds are the dangermen on the inside.
Historic bout
Real Madrid got back into the groove following a comprehensive league win over Río Breogán on Sunday. What's more, Laso was able to rotate players and give some of his troops a rest ahead of tonight's Showdown. Tavares, Yabusele, Poirier and Deck have proved to be the team's leading lights in the EuroLeague, although the Argentine small forward is ruled out after having tested positive for COVID-19. Tonight's contest will be the 65th European Cup meeting between the madridistas and the Israelis. Our team have the upper hand after having prevailed on 39 occasions compared to the visitors’ 25 wins. The record in the EuroLeague is 19-12. In the 2012/13 season, Laso’s men accounted for Maccabi in a 3-0 playoff win to progress to the Final Four in London. The history books tell us that whenever Madrid have home-court advantage in the playoffs, they always advance, as was the case in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Historic bout
Real Madrid got back into the groove following a comprehensive league win over Río Breogán on Sunday. What's more, Laso was able to rotate players and give some of his troops a rest ahead of tonight's Showdown. Tavares, Yabusele, Poirier and Deck have proved to be the team's leading lights in the EuroLeague, although the Argentine small forward is ruled out after having tested positive for COVID-19. Tonight's contest will be the 65th European Cup meeting between the madridistas and the Israelis. Our team have the upper hand after having prevailed on 39 occasions compared to the visitors’ 25 wins. The record in the EuroLeague is 19-12. In the 2012/13 season, Laso’s men accounted for Maccabi in a 3-0 playoff win to progress to the Final Four in London. The history books tell us that whenever Madrid have home-court advantage in the playoffs, they always advance, as was the case in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019.