By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
It’s only middle of the second month of the season, but Real Madrid is already pulling away.
Defending European champions defeated Monaco 91-73 at home, to remain undefeated. They are 8-0 in EuroLeague, and 19-0 overall. Unbeleivable start of the season, and it doesn’t seem that Chus Mateo’s side is slowing down.
Dzanan Musa erupted this time with 21 points and five assists for a Player Index Rating (PIR) of 29 for the winning side, while Vincent Poirier recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for a PIR of 22.
Walter Tavares had a great all-around game with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and four drawn fouls for a PIR of 24. Sergio Llull added 14 points, while Facundo Campazzo finished with 12 and five assists.
Monaco just couldn’t pair with the unstoppable Madrid side, with only Donatas Motiejunas with 14 and Mike James with 13 ending in double figures. Donta Hall was on the verge of a double-double with eight points and rebounds.
“I congratulate them, they fully deserve to be considered the favorite to win the EuroLeague also this season”, admitted Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic about his opponents.
Real Madrid was in control almost from the get-go. With a 15-2 run in the first period, they took over the reins and went to the second period with a commanding 30-20 lead. Mateo’s side quickly doubled it, with Monaco only managing to trim the deficit to 53-39 until halftime.
But after a 15-minute break, the European champions pushed strongly once again and blew away the guests, entering the final 10 minutes with an unattainable 80-50 advantage. Sasa Obradovic’s side only managed to make a defeat a bit hurtful by winning the last period 11-23.
The streak goes on, and on…
After another convincing win, the end of Real Madrid’s streak doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. Chus Mateo’s side has 19 wins in the Spanish Supercup, ACB League, and EuroLeague since the start of the season – in 19 matches. In fact, they’ve won 20 in a row, including a victory against the Dallas Mavericks in a friendly match.
What is the most important thing to keep the streak going?
“That everything we’ve been hearing about doing things well doesn’t weaken us because we’re not better than anyone. If you don’t make an effort, others are waiting for you to fail. Flattery weakens, and one must always think about what comes next,” Real Madrid’s head coach Chus Matea said.
The next challenge for Real Madrid is ALBA Berlin in Round 10 at the WiZink Center on 23/11. ALBA Berlin has won just one out of the first eight games and currently sits at the bottom of the standings. Can the winning streak continue?