Victory in Berlin, home court playoff advantage and record equalled

It was the perfect night for Real Madrid in Germany. Chus Mateo's charges secured home-court advantage in the EuroLeague playoffs after beating Alba Berlin with four games still to play and are now on course to finish top of the standings. Tonight's victory, number 24, was the result of a very stern test, decided in the final stretch courtesy of a 2-9 run. Hezonja (22 points, 8 rebounds and 28 in PIR), Yabusele (17, 4 and 22) and Abalde (9, 7 and 17) were instrumental in help Madrid equal the record number of wins by a team in a Regular Season of the competition. In addition, the Whites set a new record for the most wins on the road (11). Causeur became the third star in the list of club appearances by foreign players (466).

Hezonja, with seven points, was Madrid's inspiration in a start marred by Alba Berlin's success in three-pointers (5), allowing them to build a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter (26-16). The leaders, however, missed Sergio Rodríguez, Llull, Musa and Rudy on the perimeter and hit their first three-pointer after 10 attempts, with Causeur surpassing Taylor in appearances made.

Madrid gather momentum
Madrid applied themselves better in defence with a line-up consisting of Alocén, Abalde, Deck, Yabusele and Poirier and drastically slashed the opposition's shooting efficiency. They clearly had the upper hand in rebounding, with great work on the offensive end, and began to produce smooth transitions. Hezonja was the Whites' standout performer in the first half (12 points). Another five consecutive points from him propelled Madrid to a 0-11 run that put the tea, ahead in the 14th minute (28-30). From there to the end of the first half there was an exchange of baskets and it was only at the end that the Berliners managed to pull ahead (40-36).

Chus Mateo had previously warned that the Germans were a team that went on streaks and that became clear. Thomas and Olinde put together an 11-2 run to give their team a double-digit lead (51-38, min. 23). Madrid were once again sluggish and were committing more turnovers. However, an enforced time-out refocused the team. They recovered the positive energy of the second quarter both in defence and attack, with Campazzo adding to the offensive output, Tavares acting as an assistant from the post and, of course, Hezonja. The small forward continued to perform impressively, amassing 20 points so far. History repeated itself, as a 1-15 run allowed Madrid to turn the game around and go into the final stretch one point up (57-58).

Madrid deliver killer blow in 120 seconds
Parity would not disappear in the final quarter. The competition leaders were now relying on Yabusele and Campazzo to increase their lead, while Alba Berlin continued to do so from three-pointers and from Brown. But the madridistas had gained the lead and defended it with all their might until the end, just as they had done a few days earlier in Malaga. With the game tied at 77, the Whites entered the last two minutes. And that was when the team delivered the definitive blow. They rallied and raised their level of aggression. The visitors were held to two points and produced their most potent attacking play, with Abalde contributing four points, a rebound and an assist for Poirier; Yabusele, with a crucial offensive rebound; and Hezonja, who crowned his outstanding performance with two free throws to make it 79-86.

ALBA BERLIN-REAL MADRID STASTITICS