Real Madrid-Lenovo Tenerife: stern test at the WiZink Center

After two gruelling EuroLeague games against Panathinaikos and Monaco, Real Madrid end the week with another challenging fixture against Lenovo Tenerife in what will be their third clash in less than five days. Chus Mateo's charges are looking for their 16th league win to cement their lead at the top of the table against the third-placed side at the WiZink Center.

Only one victory separates the two sides meeting this evening at the Palacio. The madridistas have claimed victory in 10 of their last 11 league games, while Lenovo Tenerife have picked up five victories in six games. The recovery factor will be essential and Chus Mateo will have to draw on his large squad to handle the strain. Their opponents have had more time to prepare, as they played in the Basketball Champions League on Wednesday.

Madrid will be up against the best defence in the competition. It will be a stern test for the Whites' attack, which averages 88 points per game. Huertas and Shermadini are the opposition's key players, but they also boast a group of quality stars including Jaime Fernández, Salin, Fitipaldo, Abromaitis and Doornekamp. Emerging victorious will require Madrid to reduce their shooting percentages and perform well in the basic aspects of the game, such as defence, rebounding and ball distribution. In the previous league meeting, played in Tenerife on 18 December, the madridistas prevailed (67-80) with a stellar display with five players recording double-digit scoring.

The battle in the paint
One match-up that stands out above the rest is that of the two January MVPs: Tavares and Shermadini. The Madrid player is the most valued centre in the league (18.8) followed by the Georgian (18.7). Llull (898) is hovering in fourth place in the all-time ACB three-pointers list, currently led by Mumbrú (901). Recent records show that Real Madrid have emerged victorious from nine of the last 10 league clashes.