By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid outplayed Zenit St. Petersburg on the road during the second half of the Round 6 game between the two sides to leave Russia with a 75 – 68 win.
Thomas Heurtel led Real with 15 points and six assists in his best EuroLeague game since 2019. Edy Tavares had 14 points, Fabien Causeur dropped 13 points and Guerschon Yabusele finished with 12 points for the Blancos. Their team used a 0 – 9 run to move up 50 – 55 near the end of the third period and led by up to 12, 61 – 73 with three minutes to play.
“We played a great second half,” Heurtel said. “I think our first half was so-so. I think we came out with a good mentality; we won the second half and the game, which was the most important for us. I think we stopped their main players. They scored some points but I think we did a good job tonight. We have a really tough week here in Russia and need to keep going.”
After a brilliant second quarter (27 – 17) that handed them the 40 – 39 halftime lead, Zenit began losing its rhythm in the third period and really struggled to connect to the basket down the stretch. Billy Baron had 14 points, Jordan Loyd finished with 11 points and five assists, while Mateusz Ponitka posted 10 points plus five boards.
Baron also drained a triple to cut Zenit’s deficit to 68 – 74 with 37 seconds to play. He immediately won the offensive foul by Heurtel but both his and Jordan Mickey’s 3-point attempts went off target.
On the other end, Tavares capped a brilliant defensive night with one free throw that was enough to seal the win of Real.
“Now, in this moment, we are not ready to compete against these high-level teams,” Zenit coach Xavi Pascual said. He is still missing his star guard Shabazz Napier. “Today it was the first time that we competed, so are making steps, but right now, we are as we are. We have to continue working hard and make small steps. The next game against Baskonia is a great opportunity for us.”
The first 30 minutes got the checkmark
While Real Madrid finished the job down the stretch, coach Pablo Laso explained why he was more satisfied with how his team played in the first three periods of the game.
“First of all, congratulations to my players for the victory. I think we did a very good job in the first three quarters, knowing how difficult it is to play against Zenit,” Laso said. “And probably in the last quarter, where we made the difference, where we, let’s say, won the game, it was probably the quarter in which we made more mistakes. We missed free throws, some bad defense, some not that good rhythm on offense, but I think our job in the first three quarters was very solid and helped us get this victory. I am very happy because everybody contributed well, knowing how difficult it is to get a win here in St Petersburg.”