Defeat in last play of the game against Maccabi

Real Madrid were unable to pick up the points on the road at Maccabi in their EuroLeague Round 6 clash. Scariolo was making his 200th appearance on the madridista bench this evening, but his team were up against it following a superb second quarter by the hosts. Ultimately, it proved decisive although the game was evenly matched to the end. Lyles, with 16 points, 10 rebounds and a PIR of 29, was the standout performer for Madrid, who had the final shot to win the game in Belgrade.

The match got underway at a fierce pace, with Real Madrid imposing their game by controlling the defensive rebound (they didn't lose one) and displaying a fluid offense. There were ten assists in the first quarter to race to 27 points, with almost 80% success on two-point field goals. Maccabi hung on in there for the first 6 minutes, but our boys stepped on the gas towards the end of the period for a 10-2 run led by Garuba (7) and rounded off with a Okeke triple (17-27, min.10).

The game changes course 
Quarter two was a different story. Our boys' defense dropped off, breathing new life into Maccabi who, driven on by Walker IV's 20 points in the period turned the scores around and built up their biggest lead in the final seconds before the break with consecutive triples for the American. Hezonja and Lyles offered the resistance in a tough quarter for our team (57-48, min.20).
Madrid sorted themselves out towards the end of the third quarter, rediscovering their intensity in defense. Despite that, Maccabi had found their range now, and continued to rack up the points. The mood had changes slightly, though, and Real Madrid slowly managed to claw their way back into the game thanks to points from Hezonja and Maledon, and Lyles on the offensive rebound. From 75-65, the scores raced to 76-74 heading into the final quarter (75-65, min.28).

Madrid come within one shot
A Garuba basket levelled the game at 76-76 with 31 minutes on the clock. Maccabi reacted with the individual quality of Sorkin and Brissett to edge back in front (85-77, min.36), but Madrid refused to give in. Despite a lack of precision from the free throw line and a fifth personal foul against Tavares, they really dug in during the final minutes. Some fine defense and an immense effort on the offensive rebound (17) brought victory back within reach. Campazzo sprung up with 7 points to join Lyles, who posted another 4 (16 points and 10 rebounds). The Argentine point guard made two free throws to move the scores to 89-91, completing the comeback with 23 seconds to the buzzer. Then, for yet another year, luck didn't go our way as Blatt sunk a long-range three-pointer in the very next play. At 92-91, Scariolo's boys had the last possession for 4.3 seconds but Hezonja's just wouldn't go in.

MACCABI-REAL MADRID STATISTICS