Leaders extend winning streak

Real Madrid recorded their 14th consecutive victory in a row against Zunder Palencia. Chus Mateo's charges, who remain unbeaten this season, dominated from start to finish in a game in which they led by 19 at the end of the first quarter 30-11 and by 27 at half-time 52-25. By that point in the game, all the players had contributed to the scoring with the exception of academy player Hugo González, who scored in the second half. The visitors responded after the interval, but Madrid managed their lead and prevailed by a resounding 91-68 scoreline. Hezonja, with 16 points, was the top point scorer of the clash.

From the tip-off, the leaders showed why they were unbeaten going into the game and came out of the blocks very intense in defence and full of inspiration in attack. This enabled the Whites to open up a lead of more than 15 points 23-7 with just over five minutes played, courtesy of nine points from Musa and 14 points from Campazzo 8, with two three-pointers, Causeur 4 and Tavares 2. The madridistas sustained the rhythm until the end of the first quarter, when they went 19 up 30-11 after five points from Ndiaye and two from Deck.

Everything was going Real Madrid's way and the start of the second quarter bore witness to this. With 4:40 to go before half-time, the lead had already climbed to 26 points 42-16 spearheaded by an outstanding Ndiaye, who scored five more, and Hezonja and Llull, who added to the team's offensive showcase with four and two points, respectively. From then until half-time, Chus Mateo's men went into the locker room with a 27-point cushion 52-25. Musa, with nine points at the start of the first quarter, and eight points from Campazzo and Ndiaye were the standout performers.

Both teams began the third quarter with two three-pointers: Deck hit one for the Whites and Chumi Ortega for the Palencia side. Tavares was relentless under the hoop, with 12 rebounds with 4:40 to go in the quarter, and Real Madrid held on to the lead they had built up. The visitors reacted, tightened up in defence and reduced the deficit. However, Chus Mateo's boys regained momentum, but it was not enough to level the score in a quarter in which they were outscored by three points 15-18. In the final quarter, which started at 67-43, both teams ran wild offensively and the game ended 91-68.

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