By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Facu Campazzo posted 18 points and nine assists and Real Madrid defeated Zalgiris Kaunas 93 – 79 to register its third straight victory in EuroLeague. In all competitions, the Blancos are now riding on an impressive 10-0.
Gabriel Deck scored 19 points while Vincent Poirier dropped 18 points for a Real Madrid team that led for the entire game after the first seven minutes. After trailing 44 – 30 in the second period, Zalgiris made it 53 – 43 at halftime and then approached 55 – 52.
The defending champions pulled away again to close the third quarter up 72 – 62 and then increased their lead to 77 – 62, keeping a wide advantage for the rest of the game.
“We got to keep doing this job, moving on this way,” Campazzo said. “We can play in so many different ways and that makes us dangerous as a team. We have to keep doing that.”
“I made myself a gift,” said Vincent Poirier, who’s also having his birthday. “We did everything. We secured the rebounds and played great defense. That way we can run.”
Rolands Smits had 12 points while Naz Mitrou-Long and Brady Manek added 11 points apiece for Zalgiris. The guests couldn’t keep up with Real’s offense the more the game progressed.
“I’m happy because everybody works on defense and rebound,” Real coach Chus Mateo said.
“We were able to play aggressively on the defensive end, sometimes even more than we need. Very good defense as a team and that makes me happy of course. We know that Zalgiris plays great and can come back in their games. So we respect this team and we needed to be solid until the end, for 40 minutes.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Τurkish Airlines EuroLeague