93-86: Real Madrid defeat Casademont Zaragoza
The Whites prevailed at the WiZink Center thanks to a fantastic second half. Deck, Musa, Llull and Williams-Goss were the standout performers.
Real Madrid recorded their 24th league win at the WiZink Center after overcoming Casademont Zaragoza on matchday 30. Chus Mateo's men, who were missing five players, emerged victorious from a challenging match-up after a tough first half. The madridistas were trailing by 14 points in the 23rd minute, but the team reacted superbly and staged a great comeback. In the ensuing 9 minutes, they rallied for a 42-19 lead to turn the game on its head and they settled put the contest in the final stretch. Deck, Musa, Llull, who became the ACB's fourth all-time leading three-pointer 903, and Williams-Goss all registered 20 or more in PIR.
Madrid got off to a strong start, despite the absence of several key players Tavares, Cornelie, Hezonja, Causeur and Alocén, to boss the first quarter. The hosts' defensive prowess, which forced their opponents into five turnovers and enabled them to counter, sparked a 17-8 run, with Deck, Yabusele, Poirier and Llull all hitting four points each. Casademont Zaragoza battled back thanks to three out of five from three-pointers and their strong rebounding 18-13, min.10.
An evenly-matched contest
The game evened out in the second quarter. Chus Mateo's charges slumped in attack and Zaragoza began to take advantage by punishing Madrid by means of the Yusta-Cruz duo 15 points between the pair. The visitors then went ahead 27-31 in 18'. Deck, Madrid's star performer in the first half with 11 points and 17 in PIR, stepped up again in attack and the team pulled back into the lead. However, Casademont Zaragoza were on song from 6.75m, notably through Simanic 35-40, min.20.
Madrid got off to a strong start, despite the absence of several key players Tavares, Cornelie, Hezonja, Causeur and Alocén, to boss the first quarter. The hosts' defensive prowess, which forced their opponents into five turnovers and enabled them to counter, sparked a 17-8 run, with Deck, Yabusele, Poirier and Llull all hitting four points each. Casademont Zaragoza battled back thanks to three out of five from three-pointers and their strong rebounding 18-13, min.10.
An evenly-matched contest
The game evened out in the second quarter. Chus Mateo's charges slumped in attack and Zaragoza began to take advantage by punishing Madrid by means of the Yusta-Cruz duo 15 points between the pair. The visitors then went ahead 27-31 in 18'. Deck, Madrid's star performer in the first half with 11 points and 17 in PIR, stepped up again in attack and the team pulled back into the lead. However, Casademont Zaragoza were on song from 6.75m, notably through Simanic 35-40, min.20.
Madrid needed to find some rhythm and spark in their play. The visitors were building up confidence in attack and, with a 0-9 run at the start of the second half, they extended the gap to 14 points 35-49, min. 23. Chus Mateo attempted to change the pattern of the game by tightening up the pressure on defence and with continuous rotations. Madrid slowly closed the gap with some big minutes from Williams-Goss, Musa and Llull. The trio struck for 29 of the team's 31 points in the third quarter. One from the point guard levelled the score at 66 in the 30th minute, after a 34-17 run between the 23rd and 31st minutes. The madridista captain hit a three-pointer to become the fourth highest triple shooter in the ACB history, surpassing Mumbrú.
Madrid round off the comeback
The Whites had turned the game around completely, as they continued to perform strongly in the last quarter, especially in attack. But it was their solidity at the back that ensured they held the lead until they hit their game-high 77-68 in the 34th minute. Llull and Deck spearheaded this superb start to the quarter. Casademont Zaragoza squeezed through Sant-Ross to try to get within three points at 89-86, but Madrid remained solid and in control. Williams-Goss was also instrumental in the closing stages. His seven near-straight points in the final two minutes offset the visitors' rally and Madrid went on to claim a 93-86 win.
REAL MADRID-CASADEMONT ZARAGOZA STATISTICS
Madrid round off the comeback
The Whites had turned the game around completely, as they continued to perform strongly in the last quarter, especially in attack. But it was their solidity at the back that ensured they held the lead until they hit their game-high 77-68 in the 34th minute. Llull and Deck spearheaded this superb start to the quarter. Casademont Zaragoza squeezed through Sant-Ross to try to get within three points at 89-86, but Madrid remained solid and in control. Williams-Goss was also instrumental in the closing stages. His seven near-straight points in the final two minutes offset the visitors' rally and Madrid went on to claim a 93-86 win.
REAL MADRID-CASADEMONT ZARAGOZA STATISTICS