Big away win against Hapoel Tel Aviv

Real Madrid secured an important away victory against EuroLeague leaders Hapoel Tel Aviv on matchday 13. The Whites put in a superb defensive performance, limiting the competition's best attack to 74 points (17 below their average). Hezonja (19 points and a PIR of 24), Deck (9 and 16), and contributions at different moments of the game from Campazzo (11) and Abalde (11) were instrumental in Scariolo's side's seventh win in the competition.
 
Madrid made a strong start at the Botevgrad Arena in Bulgaria. The team came out of the blocks sharp, with continuous defensive changes, excellent work from Abalde on Micic, and closing down the zone. The attack was decisive and assertive (four three-pointers), spearheaded by Hezonja and Campazzo. The Croatian, with 11 points, was instrumental in Madrid winning the first quarter 18-22 against a Hapoel Tel Aviv side that had to rely on outside shooting from Jones and Bryant.

Visitors in control
Madrid maintained their defensive intensity, with lots of rotations and everyone contributing their bit. It was a commendable performance. They kept the EuroLeague's most efficient team's shooting percentages down and prevented them from finding their tempo in attack. Deck put the visitors 10 points ahead, the biggest lead of the game, at 18-28 in the 12th minute. Itoudis experimented with five smaller players, always on the outside, as Scariolo's men gave them no chance on the inside. Blakeney stepped up for Hapoel Tel Aviv, who came within a point on several occasions. But despite committing more turnovers in the second quarter, Madrid remained patient, avoided any hiccups and did not allow their opponents to gain momentum. Campazzo made it 36-39 at half-time.
 
Madrid restored their three-point lead in the third quarter. Abalde (2), Hezonja and Campazzo maintained the advantage during the first four minutes. But they rarely scored in the paint and were not as aggressive in defence as they had been in the previous two quarters. Hapoel Tel Aviv found their star players (Micic, Bryant and Oturu) to turn the game around and take the lead for the first time at 58-52 in the 29th minute. It was a tricky moment, but the visitors responded magnificently. They rallied defensively and, with Feliz and Maledon leading the offence, went on a 0-13 run in the next three minutes (58-65, min. 32).
 
Madrid can handle close finishes
They did exactly that against Zalgiris last week and repeated the feat today on one of the toughest courts in the competition. Hapoel Tel Aviv refused to concede a second home defeat and did everything in their power to prevent it. Micic, who was mostly ineffective throughout the game (finishing with 8 points and 4 personal fouls), drove the home side's response, and Jones made it 71-69 with three minutes remaining. Madrid did not cave under the pressure, and their defence allowed them to build momentum. The stealthy work of Deck and some great play from Hezonja, with a steal and a dunk, put them 4 points ahead. But there was still some sweat left to shed. Motley, with a three-pointer, made it 74-75 with a minute and a half to go. A score that would not change because of Madrid's defence, which thwarted Hapoel's two remaining attacks and ended up reducing the Israelis' offensive average by 17 points.
 
STATISTICS FROM HAPOEL TEL AVIV-REAL MADRID