By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Storming back from a double-digit deficit in the second half of regulation was merely the first step for Real Madrid. The back-and-forth battle with Anadolu Efes instead spilled into a record-breaking fourth overtime.
In a 60-minute encounter at the bottom end of a two-game week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the defending champions outlasted the visitors, 130-126.
Going to a third extra period was already a new high in the history of the modern EuroLeague. The combined total of 256 points marked another new record.
Adding to his career-high scoring showing with four points in the fourth overtime, Dzanan Musa finished with 40 points behind 15/20 field goals. The Bosnian forward also dished out eight assists in a game-high performance index rating of 45.
Croatian Mario Hezonja had a EuroLeague-high 31 points, including 17 across the four extra periods and a buzzer-beater to force a third overtime. Grabbing 12 rebounds shaped his third double-double of his continental campaign. “Basketball is the most beautiful sport in the world. It is amazing to be part of history,” he said after the everlasting contest, “I am so glad that we won.”
Mario Hezonja sends Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes to a third overtime #EuroLeaguepic.twitter.com/nHW859YdFe
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) January 5, 2024
Facundo Campazzo posted a 25-point, 11-assist double-double before fouling out with 1:26 left in the fourth overtime. Walter Tavares paired 20 points with 12 rebounds and with four blocks became the first player hitting the 400-mark in EuroLeague history.
Apart from improving the league-high score to 17-2 in the Regular Season with a ninth win in as many contests in WiZink Center, Guerschon Yabusele (knee) returned to action after missing nearly two months. The French forward was held to two points over 12 minutes. Rudy Fernandez and Gabriel Deck remained out, and Carlos Alocen did not play in Round 19.
“It was amazing what happened tonight,” winning head coach Chus Mateo commented on the quadruple overtime, “They deserved to win. We deserved to win. We fight until the end. It is probably impossible to see this in another league that is not EuroLeague. Both teams fighting like crazy for the victory.”
Efes was forced down to 7-12 with a sixth loss in a row despite Shane Larkin matching his season-high 32 points in his 14th straight game with at least ten points and 13th in a row with a PIR in double-digits. Lasting a game-high 53 minutes, he scored 14 points over the extra periods.
“We fought. But at the end of the day, it was not enough,” mentioned disappointed and exhausted play-caller Erdem Can, “I am proud of my players because whatever conditions we are dealing with in this period, injuries, schedule, they fought until the end. A game on the road against Real Madrid is not easy. We fought until the end. Small things decided the game.”
Tyrique Jones was forced to an early exit with an injury in his right shoulder early in the second overtime. Additional injury woes with Will Clyburn (foot), Dogus Ozdemiroglu (knee), Justus Hollatz, Erkan Yilmaz (clavicle), and Derek Willis (hand) on the sidelines would be a disaster. A short rotation in Madrid left Ridvan Oncel, Erten Gazi, Burak Can Yildizli, and Ercan Osmani off the court.
Facing Ergin Ataman in Athens
Opening the next two-game week on Tuesday, a road challenge against Panathinaikos Aktor and former head coach Ergin Ataman. Efes will continue dealing with Virtus Segafredo Bologna at home on Friday. In two days, the defending champions of Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi can improve the league-high record to 13-2 with a potential win on the road against Bursaspor Info Yatirim.
Madrid will visit FC Bayern Munich on Tuesday and host Valencia on Thursday. Leading Spain’s Liga Endesa with a 15-1 W-L tally, taking on Baskonia in Vitoria-Gasteiz is the next domestic affair this Sunday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net