Victory on return to WiZink Center

Almost four months after their last game at the WiZink Center, Real Madrid were back in front of their fans and made a winning start against Casademont Zaragoza on matchday two of the league campaign. Chus Mateo's charges had to work hard and remain patient to overcome a side that was highly effective from three-point range. With the score at 86-84 and four minutes to go, the Whites produced a 9-2 run that settled the contest. Madrid put on a superb collective display, scoring over a hundred points, with six players finishing in double digits in PIR, spearheaded by Musa (28) and Deck (20).
 
The game got off to a fast-paced start with a high attacking tempo and fluctuations on the scoreboard. Madrid relied on their inside play, with Tavares and Ndiaye, and Musa's penetrations against the opposition, who began to display their ability to hit three-pointers with Spissu at the forefront. This allowed the visitors to open up a five-point lead at the midway point of the first quarter. However, the Whites responded with an 11-3 run to take the lead (23-20).
 
Madrid improve from three-point range
Madrid shifted their emphasis to the perimeter in the second quarter. They were less present in the paint but countered this with their first three-pointers of the clash. Llull and Hezonja (2) opened up a five-point lead midway through the period. But Casademont Zaragoza hit half of their shots (Spissu and Dubljevic with no misses), ensuring that the score remained level at half-time (47-46).
 
The Whites sought more consistency in attack. Otherwise, their opponents might pull away, as they continued to do their thing from the 6.75m line (53-54, min. 24). But once the hosts found some consistency, the outlook changed completely. They won the rebound battle in defence, ran hard and punished Casademont Zaragoza with more precision from the three-point line. Campazzo and Ndiaye, the latter with two three-pointers and eight points, gave the Madridistas their first significant lead of the game after a 13-2 run in two minutes (66-56, min. 26). The gap could have been bigger, but the visitors managed to reduce it with simple baskets from Dubljevic and Bell-Haynes (75-69, min.30).
 
The team finds an extra gear
The final quarter followed the same dynamic. Madrid had trouble making defensive adjustments against a fluently attacking side. Some excellent minutes from Feliz and the Deck allowed Madrid to maintain a slim lead. The difference fluctuated according to the Whites' shooting success. That was the state of play as the clash reached the 36th minute, with everything still to play for and the score at 86-84. It was then that Chus Mateo's men provided the final push, tightening up in defence and scoring on each possession with a collective contribution from everyone (Tavares, Hezonja, Musa, Deck, Campazzo). The hosts led 9-2 over the next three minutes to make it 95-86. The cushion was enough to withstand the final onslaught from the opposition and surpass the 100-point mark (101-95, min.40).
 
REAL MADRID-CASADEMONT ZARAGOZA STATISTICS