By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
The final score was 88 – 70 as Real Madrid protected home court and won Game 1 of the Liga Endesa semifinals.
Even if Gran Canaria qualified for next season’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague competition, with an overtime victory in Valencia, and started the game very disciplined in Madrid (14-22), could not keep up with Walter Tavares, Jaycee Carroll, and the hosts.
Since the start of the second period, Madrid scored 74 points and allowed just 48 points from the visitors. The 28-10 second-period score put the home side in a position to control the tempo of the contest and finish off strong in the second half.
Tavares was a beast down low in the paint with his 17 points and seven rebounds, while Jaycee Carroll made 4/5 three-pointers and finished with 16 points. Luka Doncic put up four points but orchestrated the offense with his seven assists.
For Gran Canaria, four players finished in double-digits but none were able to shine.