94-85: Record-breaking victory against Anadolu Efes
Real Madrid produced an offensive showcase in the first half (54 points) to become the team with the most three-pointers ever racked up in the EuroLeague.
Real Madrid defeated Anadolu Efes at the WiZink Center to record their fourth victory in this season’s EuroLeague. The hosts were dominant and on fire in attack in the first half 54 points going into the break and then kept the defending champions at bay. Deck and Poirier 13 points apiece led five players in double-digit scoring in Madrid's finest EuroLeague performance this season. Hanga ended as the top scorer with 19 points 11 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. It was a superb win for the madridistas who became the team to rack up the most three-pointers in the European competition with 4,709, overtaking CSKA Moscow 4,707.
The Whites got off to a blistering start, finding the right balance in their play and took firm control in the early exchanges. They were dominant both on the rebound and in the paint, while remaining solid in defence, which allowed them to open up a nine-point lead with Yabusele spearheading the side. The power forward was instrumental from the number four position and helped the team increase their advantage to 11 points in the first ten minutes. Micic and Zizic, the latter coming off the bench, kept Anadolu Efes in the game as Madrid brought to an end a sublime first quarter 26-19.
On the offence
The home side were now enjoying themselves as they produced an all-round star performance. First it was Poirier, Cornelie and Abalde who chipped in to push Madrid into a 12-point lead early on in the second quarter 35.23, min.12. They bullied the opposition on the rebound and sprayed the ball around fluidly 15 assists in the first half. However, the team lacked aggressiveness in defence, as the Turks looked to Clyburn, as Micic had been nullified, and new recruit Taylor to get back into the game. In one quick burst they pulled within four points at 40-36 on the 16' mark. Fortunately, Madrid showed no signs of relaxing on the offensive side. Deck drove the response and Llull put our team up by 54 points before the interval with a three-pointer from half-court on the buzzer 54-43.
The Whites got off to a blistering start, finding the right balance in their play and took firm control in the early exchanges. They were dominant both on the rebound and in the paint, while remaining solid in defence, which allowed them to open up a nine-point lead with Yabusele spearheading the side. The power forward was instrumental from the number four position and helped the team increase their advantage to 11 points in the first ten minutes. Micic and Zizic, the latter coming off the bench, kept Anadolu Efes in the game as Madrid brought to an end a sublime first quarter 26-19.
On the offence
The home side were now enjoying themselves as they produced an all-round star performance. First it was Poirier, Cornelie and Abalde who chipped in to push Madrid into a 12-point lead early on in the second quarter 35.23, min.12. They bullied the opposition on the rebound and sprayed the ball around fluidly 15 assists in the first half. However, the team lacked aggressiveness in defence, as the Turks looked to Clyburn, as Micic had been nullified, and new recruit Taylor to get back into the game. In one quick burst they pulled within four points at 40-36 on the 16' mark. Fortunately, Madrid showed no signs of relaxing on the offensive side. Deck drove the response and Llull put our team up by 54 points before the interval with a three-pointer from half-court on the buzzer 54-43.
After a trip to the dressing rooms, Real Madrid continued to set the pace and had the game under control for the first 5 minutes of the third quarter. Another great outing, with Hezonja raising the roof of the WiZink Center with a reverse dunk following an alley-oop from Hanga, taking the deficit to 15 points 60-45, 23rd minute. Far from giving up, Anadolu Efes took out their pride and, little by little, started making headway into the home side’s territory. Micic, Clyburn and Zizic took advantage of the circumstances to get their team back in the battle for victory 69-67, 32nd minute.
All For One
At the most precarious moment, without Yabusele he went off with a knock in the first half and with the visitors piling on the pressure, Real came together to get the game on the right track. A job that required mental strength and union. They regained their spark in offence and played their best defensive minutes with Hanga growing immensely as point guard 11 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, Llull’s leadership and the intensity of Deck, Poirier and Tavares. A mixture which would deactivate Anadolu Efes to seal an undisputable win 94-85, 40th minute.
REAL MADRID-ANADOLU EFES STATISTICS
All For One
At the most precarious moment, without Yabusele he went off with a knock in the first half and with the visitors piling on the pressure, Real came together to get the game on the right track. A job that required mental strength and union. They regained their spark in offence and played their best defensive minutes with Hanga growing immensely as point guard 11 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, Llull’s leadership and the intensity of Deck, Poirier and Tavares. A mixture which would deactivate Anadolu Efes to seal an undisputable win 94-85, 40th minute.
REAL MADRID-ANADOLU EFES STATISTICS