Real Madrid secure a triumphant win in Kaunas

Real Madrid can't stop winning. In Kaunas, scene of the Undécima, victory over Zalgiris sealed a fifth straight Euroleague win, our 11th in the competition. Off the back of a league double-header, Chus Mateo‘s team fought off fatigue to show their best in a game that was extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. Despite trailing by 11 points in the first half, after the break, Zalgiris were shut down by our strong defense continuing our excellent form. Musa (17 points) and Ibaka (13) both caught the eye.
Real Madrid were welcomed into a party atmosphere at the Zalgirio Arena but they needed to dig deep in the third game of a tough week. Despite Chus Mateo's team going 0-5 ahead early on, the Lithuanian made the three-pointer their most powerful weapon mainly thanks to the inspired Walker and Francisco (16-9; min. 7). Trinchieri's team upped their rhythm, finishing the first quarter (26-15) and ending with a spectacular success rate of more than 50% from three-pointers.
Real Madrid rally
Madrid got back on track in the second quarter thanks to a hardening of the defense, domination of the paint and increased ruthlessness in attack. Ibaka and Hezonja scored a run of 7 unanswered points in three minutes (26-22). This lift from those two players, with the centre scoring 9 points, galvanised the troops around them. Real Madrid’s defensive level tightened up, demonstrated by conceding just two points in six minutes (28-30). From there, Chus Mateo‘s men turned the first-quarter deficit around and were ahead at half-time (34-35).
Both teams pushed each other after the break, but Madrid gradually exerted their control on the game. A stratospheric Musa, with seven straight points, led his side to 41-47 (min. 26). Madrid maintained their second-quarter concentration, closing down the rebounding with Hezonja and Abalde impassable and frustrating their opponents' shooting percentage. All of this led to the Lithuanian attack shutting down and Madrid finding another gear to open up a +9 difference (46-55).
Defensive perfection
Our team raised their level yet again and were practically perfect at the start of the last quarter, silencing the Zalgirio Arena with 13 points without reply. Abalde, Ibaka and Ndiaye (7 rebounds) replicated the previous quarter’s defensive frugality and at the other end, Chus Mateo‘s team extended their lead to 22 points (min. 32). The Lithuanian team were powerless against a relentless Madrid. The winning streak goes on thanks to Madrid’s awesome second-half performance, continuing the excellent form and sealing a fifth consecutive Euroleague victory.
ZALGIRIS KAUNAS-REAL MADRID STATISTICS