76-86: Victory ahead of EuroLeauge playoff
Real Madrid win on their trip to Joventut, with 20 points for Hezonja, to take their 23rd league victory.
With the EuroLeague playoff just around the corner, Real Madrid came through a tough away trip to Badalona in the League with flying colours. They beat Joventut in convincing fashion, controlling the game from start to finish thanks to an impressive early spell that saw them post 30 points and build up a 12-point lead, before maintaining an incredible level in defense throughout the second half. Hezonja was the standout man with 20 points, 4 triples and a PIR of 21, aided by Deck, who posted 13 and 18 on his return, and Musa, with 17 points. Causeur made his 400th appearance in our colours.
Our team came out looking highly disciplined at both ends of the court. Chus Mateo played Deck at three and Hezonja at four, boosting the team's versatility and pace all round. Looking solid at the back and refusing to give an inch, Madrid sliced through the hosts' defense with swift counter-attacks and high percentages from two-point field goals. With an opening 0-8 run, we raced to a 15-point lead in a first quarter that finished 18-30.
Madrid restrict the hosts
Joventut stepped up the pace in the second quarter and brought down Madrid's impressive early numbers. They also began to find better positions in offense thanks to the Feliz-Birgander connection and dominance on the offensive rebound. Despite that, our team's individual quality came to the fore to stifle the home team's resurgence. Hezonja sprung back to life in the period and his 12 points at the break, alongside triples for Hanga and Llull, were key to staying in the lead 38-45, min.20.
Our team came out looking highly disciplined at both ends of the court. Chus Mateo played Deck at three and Hezonja at four, boosting the team's versatility and pace all round. Looking solid at the back and refusing to give an inch, Madrid sliced through the hosts' defense with swift counter-attacks and high percentages from two-point field goals. With an opening 0-8 run, we raced to a 15-point lead in a first quarter that finished 18-30.
Madrid restrict the hosts
Joventut stepped up the pace in the second quarter and brought down Madrid's impressive early numbers. They also began to find better positions in offense thanks to the Feliz-Birgander connection and dominance on the offensive rebound. Despite that, our team's individual quality came to the fore to stifle the home team's resurgence. Hezonja sprung back to life in the period and his 12 points at the break, alongside triples for Hanga and Llull, were key to staying in the lead 38-45, min.20.
Neither team seemed able to impose themselves on the game following the restart and the opening stretch of the third quarter flipped from end to end. A 5-0 run in our favour led by a Deck who showed he was ready for the EuroLeague playoffs, gave us enough breathing space to cope with another push from La Penya 48-54, min.25. But Madrid were fully focused on the task at hand and, based on a solid defense, they forced their rivals into turnovers and hit efficiently on the counter-attack. First, Hezonja enjoyed a purple patch from 6.75, then Musa sealed a five-point run to make it 2-11 and extend our advantage to 15 with 13 minutes left to play 50-65, min.27.
Total dominance
Madrid managed their lead as Joventut looked to hit back through Tomic. Randolph was sublime in the paint up against the Croat, closing out the rebound expertly. The madridistas took their defense up a notch in the closing stages, quashing any hopes the home team may have had of getting back into the game. Llull scored to reach 6,000 points in the ACB and make it 65-85 to his team with 28 minutes gone. A huge win ahead of the challenges to come 76-86, min.40.
JOVENTUT-REAL MADRID STATISTICS
Total dominance
Madrid managed their lead as Joventut looked to hit back through Tomic. Randolph was sublime in the paint up against the Croat, closing out the rebound expertly. The madridistas took their defense up a notch in the closing stages, quashing any hopes the home team may have had of getting back into the game. Llull scored to reach 6,000 points in the ACB and make it 65-85 to his team with 28 minutes gone. A huge win ahead of the challenges to come 76-86, min.40.
JOVENTUT-REAL MADRID STATISTICS