Seventh consecutive victory
94
-87
Real Madrid
FinishedKosner Baskonia
Real Madrid defeat Baskonia on their return to the Movistar Arena and record their fourth consecutive victory in the Euroleague.
Real Madrid continue their impressive run of form. Returning to the Movistar Arena after four games and 20 days away from home, Scariolo's side beat Baskonia on EuroLeague matchday 15 to record their seventh consecutive victory, four of which have come in European competition. The streak continued thanks to a solid team performance, with standout performances from Campazzo (16 points and a PIR of 22), Maledon (15 and 20), Hezonja (17 and 18) and Tavares (11 and 17).
The direct duel between Abalde (7 points) and Howard (6) took centre stage in the opening minutes of a fast-paced start, with both teams trading runs and taking advantage of offensive rebounds (4 each). A 9-0 run in Madrid's favour, with Tavares dominating in the paint (7 points), gave them a +5 lead (16-11, min. 6). Baskonia held their own with continuous rotations and outside shooting from Kurucs and Simmons. Two free throws from Maledon gave Madrid a slight lead at the end of the first quarter (24-23, min. 10).
Madrid ahead at the break
The game remained close in a less productive second quarter, partly due to turnovers on both sides. Scariolo's men lacked threat from outside (the only three-pointer of this period was scored by Feliz to give the team the lead at half-time), but they made up for it with great work on the offensive rebound and accuracy from the free-throw line. Lyles (5 points) and Deck (6) were the leaders in attack (42-39, min. 20).
Madrid came out much more aggressively in the second half and Baskonia began to struggle to score. Campazzo and Hezonja, with a spectacular few minutes in which they joined forces to score 14 points almost consecutively between them, took their team to 58-43 at the halfway point of the third quarter. With the biggest margin of the game, Baskonia found Luwawu-Cabarrot again and a three-pointer to slow Madrid's run, but they couldn't stop Maledon, who stepped up at the end of the quarter. Nine points from the Frenchman left the score at 71-60 going into the final period.
Madrid more solid for the decisive moment
Maledon extended his hot streak with another three-pointer and Madrid took a 14-point lead (76-62, min. 31). However, Howard appeared with two drives and three consecutive three-pointers to turn the score around to 76-77 four minutes later. Scariolo's men were quick to react. They tightened their defence on the American (great work from Abalde, who ended up being given a standing ovation) to neutralise him, close down the rebound and deliver the final blow on the counter-attack. Six points from Hezonja, a 2+1 from Deck and another 5 from Campazzo led an 11-0 run that ended up being 18-10 to secure another victory at the Movistar Arena (94-87, min. 40).