Defeat to Panathinaikos

Real Madrid were unable to manage a win on their return to the WiZink Center almost a month later. A game in which we went from strength to strength in the first half, and in which we looked for a comeback in the second against a Panathinaikos side who were able to defend the +9 lead they had built up by half-time. Chus Mateo's team, who offered the Copa del Rey to the fans in the pregame, will remain leaders for another game with seven games to go in the Regular Season. Yabusele, with 18 points, and Musa, with 16, were the team's most outstanding players, who could still qualify mathematically for the playoffs in this round depending on other results.

The Cup champions went into the game as if there had been no stoppage. They dispelled any doubts in the first quarter with great activity from the first minute. They got into a rhythm and sensations from aggressive defence and closing down the rebounding. It soon began to bear fruit in attack with Campazzo supplying the ball (4 assists) to Yabusele (9 points), and Causeur and Abalde very successful from three-point range (two each). Madrid even had a nine-point lead (22-13, min.8).

Turning the tables
Panathinaikos did not wait for its response. They improved in the final stretch of the first quarter, with Sloukas, Papapetrou and Lessort on the court, and continued their growth in the second. Our team suffered a drop in play and committed repeated turnovers that allowed the Greeks to hurt us on the counterattack. Now, it was they who took a lead of between 9 and 11 points that they managed to hold on to until half-time (36-45, min.20).

Madrid regained their spark after the break. They came back with their batteries recharged and it showed immediately. Greater concentration to make up for the deficit in turnovers and much more clarity in attack, where Hezonja, Causeur and Yabusele (9 points in this period) led a 9-0 run that turned the score around at the halfway point of the third quarter (52-50). However, Panathinaikos reacted thanks to the Nunn-Lessort partnership, to go six up at the end of the final period (61-67, min.30).

Madrid lacked the final push
Madrid fought hard and gave their all to try to maintain their unbeaten run at the WiZink Center, but it was not possible. Through belief and effort, with some great minutes from Musa (11 points in a row) and Poirier in the paint, we got within one point at 72-73 at the 35' mark. But at that point we lacked the right shot and a bit more energy. The emergence of Sloukas and Grigonis was providential for Panathinaikos to hold them off and take the win at the WiZink Center 86-97. On Sunday we visit Morabanc Andorra in LaLiga (12:30pm CET).