Third win this week

Real Madrid continue to add to their winning tally as the season wears on. Chus Mateo, who was overseeing his 100th game since taking the reins of the team last season, watched on as they won at Lenovo Tenerife to clinch their sixth League win this season, their twelfth in total. The team remain unbeaten so far, closing out another perfect week including a 100% record in the EuroLeague double-header. It was a true display of mental strength, since despite dominating the first half with leads of up to 14 points, the team fell behind in quarter three. The final ten minutes, however, were a show of offensive firepower led by Sergio Rodríguez and Deck. Inside, Tavares and Poirier were top-rated with PIR of 23 and 20 respectively. The Cape Verde-born center became the second-top rebounder in Madrid League history, eclipsing Romay 1,623.

In just over five and half minutes, Madrid had posted 19 points without a miss under the basket. It was a spectacular start, reflecting their fine spell of form and sublime offensive synergy. Outside, triples for Yabusele and Campazzo, and inside, Tavares was imposing himself 8 points 3 rebounds, while Causeur helped out on the rebound 3. The defense did their bit too and in no time at all, we were more than ten points ahead 14-27, min.10.
 
Madrid maintain their lead
The hosts stepped it up in defense in the second quarter, while Abromaitis and Ristic burst into life, but Madrid held strong in all areas of the court. Sergio Rodríguez was pulling the strings 4 assists of his team's 12 in the first half, as the opposition did some fine work around the basket. His connection with Poirier proved fruitful once more. The Frenchman 5 points and Deck 4 took up the offensive mantle alongside Abalde 4 to stop Lenovo Tenerife in their tracks and hold onto a 13-point advantage at half-time. Tavares headed in with a PIR of 21 34-47, min.20. 

The game became more fierce following the restart. The two technical fouls given against the islanders towards the end of the first half riled up the Santiago Martín and added to the atmosphere. Led by Jaime Fernández, Lenovo Tenerife began to eat away at the lead, even going in front at 58-57 with 28 minutes on the clock after a third technical foul against our boys in the third quarter. It was a sloppy spell and the madridistas looked frustrated as the fouls began to add up. Tavares was sent to the bench with four personals and the game suddenly looked a whole lot different.
 
The league leaders react
The team refused to lose focus, though, and Chus Mateo brought on Campazzo and Sergio Rodríguez. Madrid rediscovered their edge at the back and brought their character to the fore. Without Llull, out today alongside Hezonja, the team came together to mount a response. Suddenly, the shots started finding the hoop from outside, Musa and the Canary Islander hitting two triples to close out the third quarter at +5. Deck then stepped up both in defense and on the rebound, as well as chipping in with some points. He was everywhere, posting five in a row to supplement Sergio Rodriguez's third triple and record a blistering 3-18 run that put the team +14 with 33 minutes gone. From there to the end, it was a case of digging in. Poirier was superb in the paint, not to mention his energy levels another special performance with 13 points and a PIR of 20, as Campazzo struck the killer blow with a triple on the possession buzzer that finally crushed the hosts' resistance 76-82, min.40. The team is unbeaten heading into Thursday's Clásico clash in the EuroLeague 8:45pm CEST.

LENOVO TENERIFE-REAL MADRID STATISTICS