Surne Bilbao Basket-Real Madrid: demanding league outing

Real Madrid faces a tough away game against Surne Bilbao Basket. We visit a court where we have won the last two times, but which will demand our maximum effort as always. After the victory against Partizan in the Euroleague less than 72 hours ago, our team will try to close the week with a full house of victories.

Bilbaínos and madridistas face each other in the third round of La Liga. With an identical balance (1-1), Chus Mateo‘s team is eager to get another win as a springboard, which would be the third consecutive one in a week (Casademont Zaragoza and Partizan). The home side lost against UCAM Murcia last time out, but on their home court, with a very tight home crowd, they won comfortably against Río Breogán.

Madrid is still in the process of meshing. As a team, they will have to control the basic aspects of their game, such as defence, defensive rebounding and running. If they can do that, they will be difficult to stop, because the offensive line is working very well. The team is the highest rated in the league with a much higher average than the rest (114.5). Campazzo, Musa and Tavares are the offensive focal points of a team in which everyone can contribute in that facet. Rathan-Mayes (12 points with four three-pointers without a miss against Partizan) is already showing what he's made of. Against Casademont Zaragoza they surpassed the 100-point barrier for the first time this season.

Group above individuality
Their opponent today is proving that they are also a well-rounded team, being third in PIR and fourth in points scored. They have been reinforced with two quality North Americans such as the shooting guard Abdur-Rahkman and the 2.13 m (6'8") center Marvin Jones. On the inside, they have a long rotation with De Ridder and Hlinason. Sylla and Pantzar are the two former Madrid youth players present. Zoran Dragic brings experience. The team will be looking for another win before facing their first Euroleague double-header next week.