Madrid force fourth game against Olympiacos

Real Madrid edged Olympiacos in the third game of the EuroLeague playoffs, and on Thursday they will have the chance to level a series that is now 1-2 in favour of the Greeks. The Whites responded with their best defensive performance and a fantastic second-half collective performance, in which they managed a decisive 42-28 run. Musa and Tavares, with 20 in PIR apiece, along with Hezonja and Abalde, drove Chus Mateo's team at a Movistar Arena on a special European night.

It was an important day on which the fans packed the stands at the Movistar Arena. Madrid came out with plenty of intensity, focused on defence and with plenty of pace in attack. Two three-pointers in two minutes (for four consecutive in the opening period) gave the home side the edge and, with Musa on top of his game (9 points of his 12 points) and Tavares slamming the hoop on three occasions (6 and 3 rebounds), they took the initiative in the first quarter. Olympiacos tried to withstand through Williams-Goss and Vezenkov, but Madrid managed to close the opening quarter with a 7-point lead (28-21).

Olympiacos respond
A basket by Llull made it 30-21 at the start of the second quarter, but the Whites ceased to score with fluidity and began to make more turnovers in the following minutes. Olympiacos capitalised to turn the score around through Lee and Mckissic (30-31, min.14). Chus Mateo's charges replied with a 6-0 run. However, the Greeks were enjoying positive momentum in attack, moving the ball well and winning the offensive rebound, and that allowed them to go into the break six points ahead (38-44).

Madrid restored the intensity of the first quarter after the restart, and this showed in their play. They were more aggressive at the back, slowing down Olympiacos' scoring, which was reduced to Vezenkov's sharp shooting and occasional three-pointers. Hezonja and Tavares, with 7 points apiece, led the Madridista attack, which was once again on top in the third quarter, going on a 20-12 run to finish in front (58-56).

Collective victory
The Whites continued their strong display in the decisive stretch. Without the three leading players, the rest of the team stepped up to the task. Llull, Abalde, Garuba, Ibaka and Campazzo were instrumental in certain moments to propel Madrid to a comprehensive victory. A 14-6 run opened up a 10-point gap with four minutes left at 72-62. However, true to form, Olympiacos kept fighting, and Vezenkov brought his side to within two points in the 38th minute. But it was just a fleeting glimmer of hope. Madrid were not going to let the opportunity pass them by. Campazzo, from free-throw shooting, and the defence, particularly the commitment from all five players on the court, sealed an 80-72 win that gives them a huge boost of confidence as they head into the fourth clash. (Thursday, 9 pm CEST).
 
STATISTICS FROM REAL MADRID-OLYMPIACOS