Second offensive masterclass in under 48 hours

A week full of victories for Real Madrid. Scariolo's men won away at Coviran Granada on league matchday eight to notch up their sixth consecutive victory in the ACB and remain top of the table (7-1). Scariolo's men shone again in attack, as they did last Thursday against Zalgiris Kaunas when they scored 100 points. This time, with 111 points, they surpassed their best score so far this season. Maledon (18 points, 10 assists and a PIR of 26) and Hezonja (14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter) led a collective offensive showing alongside four other players who reached double figures (Llull, Tavares, Okeke and Abalde).
There were several rotations in Sergio Scariolo's team (Campazzo, Deck and Len rested) to face a game that started at a very high scoring pace, set by Madrid from the tip-off. Based on good ball movement, high two-point and three-point shooting percentages and the contribution of many contributors (10 from Llull, 7 from Okeke and 6 from Maledon), they took the lead in the first quarter, scoring over 30 points. They were not as aggressive in defence, which allowed Granada to get back into the game with six three-pointers, including three from Costa (29-31, min. 10).

Tavares steps up
With both teams more comfortable in attack, the second quarter unfolded. Real Madrid quickly entered bonus territory and, without Tavares, the home side added more inside with the presence of Hankins and Bozic. Lyles, with 7 consecutive points, countered the surge of a Granada side that managed to take a one-point lead. It was not until the last two minutes of the first half, with the score tied at 47, that our team managed to pull away slightly to take the lead at the break. This coincided with the return of the Cape Verdean centre whose points and blocks led a 9-1 run in their favour (48-56, min. 20).
Madrid found greater balance in their play after coming back from the locker room. Maledon took charge in attack and, with his ability to create advantages and his vision of the game, with Okeke and Tavares the main beneficiaries, our team opened up a 14-point difference at the halfway point of the third quarter (55-69). Without the point guard and centre, Granada regained their confidence and scored easy baskets near the hoop to turn the score around at the end of the period (79-78, min. 30).
Victory with a scoring record
The referees set the bar very low for technical fouls. Madrid were given three; Granada one. The last one, for Tavares, sent him to the bench for four personal fouls. The tension increased and the home team turned up the pressure to make it 87-88 in the 34th minute. It was the key moment of the game and Scariolo's men brought out their most solid version. They responded with greater aggression in defense and excellent work from Abalde and Garuba. In attack, Maledon led the final charge. The MVP of the last Euroleague matchday was decisive with another outstanding performance, as was Hezonja, who took charge in the final stretch with 16 of his 20 points in the last 7 minutes. A dunk by the Croatian sealed Madrid's best score this season and their second game reaching 100 points (100-111, min. 40).
COVIRAN GRANADA-REAL MADRID STATISTICS