Madrid goes undefeated in the second half of La Liga

Real Madrid beat Casademont Zaragoza away from home to end a great Regular Season with their 22nd consecutive victory and a perfect second half of the season, winning all 17 games played, the second team in ACB history to achieve this feat after Lolo Sainz's Madrid in the 1984/85 season. Hezonja, with a spectacular final quarter (13 of his 23 points), and Hugo González (14 and 20 PIR) led five players in double figures. Chus Mateo's team will face Baskonia with home-court advantage in the quarter-final tie, which will begin next Tuesday at the Movistar Arena (7:00pm CEST). The leaders set a very high offensive pace from the start, moving the ball quickly and creating good shots. They did so with great accuracy, especially from the three-point line with 5/9, and with the trio of Abalde, Hezonja and Garuba scoring 23 of the team's 28 points in the first quarter, against a Casademont Zaragoza side that held on with 8 free throws and contributions from Sulejmanovic and Bell-Haynes (23-28, min.10).

Madrid breaks away
Personal fouls (two by Tavares and Garuba) and a 3-2 zone by the Aragonese allowed them to close the gap in the opening minutes of the second quarter to 30-32. It was Bruno Fernando (9 points and 4 rebounds) who held off the home side's attack in the run-up to Madrid's take-off. Led by a great Hugo González (9 points and a PIR of 10) and a zone defence that completely shut down Casademont Zaragoza, the leaders went on a 28-10 run to go into the break with a 20-point lead (40-60).

The Aragonese side pressed hard after the break with Spissu, Sulejmanovic and Watson leading the way and playing a much faster and more energetic game. However, Madrid maintained a comfortable lead throughout against the home side's pressure. Hugo González continued to be the Madrid player to watch in the third quarter with the help of Ndiaye. The former had already racked up 16 PIR points, beating his personal best, while the power forward showed his versatility and good hand from the three-point line (68-80, min. 30).

Hezonja seals the win
The Aragonese side pressed hard after the break with Spissu, Sulejmanovic and Watson leading the way and playing a much faster and more energetic game. However, Madrid maintained a comfortable lead throughout against the home side's pressure.

Hugo González continued to be the Madrid player to watch in the third quarter with the help of Ndiaye. The former had already racked up 16 PIR points, beating his personal best, while the power forward showed his versatility and accuracy from the three-point line (68-80, min. 30).
Hezonja seals victory Hugo González, who had a great game (14 points and a PIR of 20), Feliz and Abalde joined the offensive display and Real Madrid finished with five players in double figures in points and six in PIR. The Whites reached 100 points for the fifth time this season in the League to record their 30th victory (89-104, min. 40).

CASADEMONT ZARAGOZA-REAL MADRID STATISTICS