Madrid fight back to claim second away league win in 48 hours

Real Madrid secured their second win away from home in the league this week as they defeated Coviran Granada. Less than 48 hours after beating Baskonia in Vitoria, the Whites edged out the Andalusian side in a hard-fought contest in which they were down by 15 points at the start of the second half but managed to come back in the final quarter on the back of plenty of hard work and endeavour. Hezonja was instrumental (23 points, 9 rebounds and 25 in PIR) with Hugo González, Ibaka and Campazzo also playing a pivotal role. Chus Mateo's side continued their fine run of form with their fifth consecutive win.

The home side started the contest with a bit more energy and aggression. They deployed a zonal defence that worked well for them because Madrid were not clinical in their first-half shooting. Eight points from Noua sparked a 15-5 run for Coviran Granada at the start of the game. After a time-out by Chus Mateo, and with the introduction of Hezonja and Garuba, the Madridistas improved in attack (25-18, min.10).

However, Madrid could not get into their rhythm. Unlike their opponents who, with their pace in the game and shooting accuracy, especially from Rousselle (3 three-pointers), continued to command the scoreboard in the second quarter with leads of more than 10 points. Campazzo and Hezonja were the team's brightest performers in the first half (48-38).

Madridistas improve
The gap reached 15 points at 53-38 in the 23rd minute. But the Whites did not despair and looked for solutions. They began to find them through defence and offensive rebounding, with the contribution of Hugo Gonzalez and Ibaka. Nevertheless, it was Hezonja and his grace that brought Madrid to within 6 points on two occasions. A deficit that could have been narrower, but Coviran Granada put it back to 8 at the end of the third quarter (64-56) with two three-pointers.

Madrid save their best for final quarter
Madrid knew they had to hang in there and that's what they did. Without being particularly clinical, they dug in and kept a cool head to produce a terrific last quarter at both ends of the court. They closed down the rebounding, cut off the home side's play and rallied as a team. Hugo González performed sensationally in his 13 minutes on the court with 6 points and 4 rebounds; also Ibaka, with 7 points and 2 blocks. Hezonja carried his team with a stunning display, as Madrid had peaked at the crucial moment.

A three-pointer from Campazzo levelled the score at 75 on 37'. The point guard, with 7 points in the final stretch, and Tavares, in the paint (9 rebounds), crowned the comeback and pulled the team ahead. A steal by Feliz, who was outstanding in defence, and a 2+1 from Hezonja opened up an unsalvageable five-point gap in the final minute (79-84, min.40). This is Madrid's 11th win, which takes them into third place, level with Laguna Tenerife, who they host on Sunday at the Movistar Arena. But before that, they face a stern EuroLeague test in Kaunas on Friday (7 pm CET).
 
STATISTICS FROM COVIRAN GRANADA-REAL MADRID