Convincing win for the leaders in Belgrade

Real Madrid continue to prove their title as the best away side in the Euroleague and beat Red Star at the Stark Arena, the scene of La Décima, where they picked up their 14th win to establish their best ever start to a season in the competition (14-1). Chus Mateo's side were on top of their game in the first half and, with an overwhelming 19-plus percentage between the 6th and 20th minute, made the difference in a game that we ended up winning convincingly. The team set its best defensive record of the season in Europe and the eighth in the history of the Euroleague. Hezonja had a great game, with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 19. Poirier (14 and 15), Tavares (8 and 17), Sergio Rodríguez (8 assists) and Ndiaye (10 points, his record) also stood out.
The atmosphere at the Stark Arena was perfect to welcome the leaders, who were surprised at the outset by a very aggressive start from the home side in defence and with ex-Madrid player Hanga (8 points) and Mitrovic very active in the production. After a 7-0 run, which was extended to 14-6 in the 6th minute, a time-out by Chus Mateo led to an improvement on both sides of the court. The team started to make their two-point shots; they had already been doing so from three-point range, where all their points had come from. Ndiaye (8) was leading Madrid and when more effective players, such as Llull and Tavares, started to join in, we quickly achieved a 6-14 run in our favour to tie the first quarter at 20.
The leader takes flight
Madrid found their rhythm in the second quarter, becoming much more consistent. And when they do, they are unstoppable. They raised the level of intensity at the back and drastically reduced Red Star's scoring, who relied on Teodosic to keep them in the game (12 points). But the leader was already playing with a different spirit and gave an exhibition of how to move the ball under the baton of Sergio Rodriguez. The point guard connected time and again with a great Poirier and added two three-pointers, while the centre was a nightmare in the paint (12 points without a miss, including two alley oops and a dunk). Hezonja joined the cause and helped with the rebounding. So did Llull. They all added up to a 14-25 lead and a +11 advantage at the break (34-45).
A local reaction was expected at the restart, encouraged by the fans who exerted as much pressure as possible. However, Madrid were not intimidated by the atmosphere or by the increased intensity of the home team's play. They continued to play their game, staying focused, hardly giving the Serbians any leeway and closing down the defensive rebound with Tavares as the mainstay. He deactivated Teodosic and therefore Red Star. And they stepped it up a notch in attack in the third quarter, with a superb Hezonja (10 points), to take total control of the game and close the gap to almost 20 points on several occasions (43-61, min.29).
Madrid defend to win
In the final stretch, Madrid relied on their cushion. Firm at the back and responding to their opponents' baskets. They didn't have Rudy, Deck or Yabusele today, but it didn't matter. There was Hezonja. The forward put in another complete performance and by the fourth quarter he had a double-double in points and rebounds. Our team did not slow down and left Red Star at 58 points on their home court, making it our best defensive performance so far this season in the Euroleague. 70th victory of the year. And a new Euroleague challenge awaits them in just 48 hours, the last of 2023 at the WiZink Center (Thursday, 8:45pm).
RED STAR-REAL MADRID STATISTICS