Unstoppable Madrid go 1-0 up in the quarter-finals

Real Madrid defeated Gran Canaria at the WiZink Center to earn the first point in the playoff quarter-final series for the league title. The Whites produced a very complete performance, surpassing 100 points for the second time in a row on the back of outstanding attacking play and two great defensive quarters. A 31-15 run in the third set the wheels in motion for an irrefutable victory. Musa, with 26 points and 28 in PIR, led seven players in double figures. Chus Mateo's men are at their best in a tie that moves to the Gran Canaria Arena this Friday, where Madrid will be looking to advance to the semifinals (8:30pm CEST).
 
After Florentino Pérez had presented Campazzo with the MVP Liga ACB award, the first quarter got underway with some clinical shooting and little defending. Madrid hit the ground running from the 4th minute with an exceptional Musa (14 points). His second triple gave the Whites a 5-point lead but Gran Canaria hung on with their open play and 5/10 three-pointers, with Shurna and Pelos (7 apiece) shining. On the buzzer, Sergio Rodríguez put Madrid ahead at the end of the first quarter (27-25).
 
Llull for Musa
Madrid tightened up their defence in the second quarter and limited Gran Canaria's outside threat. There was a big contribution from the bench (Rudy had to withdraw with a hard knock to his hand), with Llull stepping in for Musa and stringing together three 3-pointers (11 points) and Poirier doing a fantastic job in the rebounding department. A 12-4 run gave the madridistas a 10-point lead (39-29, min.14). Gran Canaria staged a brief revival, spearheaded by Bassas, but the hosts managed their lead intelligently, looking for Tavares in the zone. The centre always brought something positive in the form of personal fouls (Happ and Pelos, 3 fouls) or by assisting for free throws. At half-time, Madrid were eight points up (46-38).
 
Chus Mateo's men settled well at the back. They no longer conceded easy baskets near the hoop or second chances. Gran Canaria were forced to shoot from outside but they did not have the same success as at the beginning. Madrid continued their high tempo in attack, showing their collective might. Campazzo displayed his MVP qualities with the best moves of the game with a reverse layup and an alley oop for a dunk by Hezonja. The small forward and Yabusele were unstoppable in this quarter with eight and seven points respectively, but most of all, they were full of energy and dazzled the WiZink Center with their moves, including a steal in the half-court and subsequent dunk by the Frenchman. Another dunk from his compatriot, Poirier, capped off a terrific third quarter with a 31-15 run (77-53).
 
An average of 100 points
Madrid keep on performing brilliantly. The Final Four is on the horizon but they are not leaving anything to chance and this was reflected in the final quarter. The intensity was at its highest and, despite the gap, they persisted with their offensive exhibit. Poirier was getting his money's worth at the hoop (7 dunks), Musa was hitting more than a point a minute to finish with 26 in 25, Causeur and Ndiaye joined in the scoring. This was a team effort to finish 105-70. It is the second game straight where the madridistas have exceeded 100 points after 106 against Baskonia and the third three-figure score in May. These results mean that the team has averaged 100 points this month (102 Baskonia in the EuroLeague, 94 Coviran Granada, 93 Valencia Basket, 106 Baskonia in the league and 105 today).

STATISTICS FROM REAL MADRID-GRAN CANARI