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Real Madrid trailed 22 – 24 against Zalgiris Kaunas at the end of the first period. The Blancos reacted by outplaying their opponents 31 – 14 in the second period and then turned the rest of the game into a “standard procedure” to register its highest margin of victory this season.
With five players scoring in double figures Real crushed Zalgiris 91 – 69 to improve to 17-7 and join Olympiacos Piraeus (one game less) at the top of the EuroLeague standings. After suffering its heaviest loss this season, Zalgiris is now 13-12 and below the playoff zone for the first time since the start of 2022-23.
Dzanan Musa led the very balanced effort by Real with 17 points and five rebounds. He scored 11 in the second quarter to lift his team towards taking a 53-38 lead at the break. Edy Tavares contributed 16 points while Gabriel Deck and Nigel Williams-Goss dropped 12 points apiece. Vincent Poirier had 11 points and eight rebounds, being a part of the second-period squad that completely turned the game around for Real.
“We are very satisfied with the win,” Musa said. “The guys played well. For 40 minutes, we were focused, and concentrated. We needed this win to continue on the right path in the EuroLeague. It is very important for us. We like to play, we like to compete, so it is going to be a hell of a month [March], and I hope we can get as many wins as possible.”
Only Ignas Brazdeikis (16 points) scored in double-digit numbers for Zalgiris. The visiting side began the game strong and led 24 – 25 early in the second period. Real began taking charge and went up by 49 – 38 a bit before halftime. Thanks to a 12-0 run through the second and third quarter, the hosts increased their advantage to 59 – 38 and cruised to the win.
“We have to forget it,” Zalgiris coach Kazys Maksvytis said. “It was our worst game of the season. We are talking about both ends, offense and defense, focus, energy and concentration. So Madrid was much better today and they deserved to win.”