By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid never trailed but required a solid finish to extend the undefeated run in WiZink Center.
Jumping to 21-3 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, Los Blancos secured a 106-101 victory versus Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
EuroLeague Legend Theo Papaloukas was in attendance.
A powerful dunk by Vincent Poirier with 48.8 seconds remaining made it a two-possession game. Among five double-digit scorers for the team coached by Chus Mateo, the French center posted a 16-point, 10-rebound double in the Round 24 affair. “We stayed strong. We were playing at home That is what we need to do all season long,” he described securing the win down the stretch.
Prevailing in the 71st edition of the classic series kept Los Blancos undefeated across 12 home games in the 2023-24 installment of Europe’s premier club continental competition. Up next is LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the capital of Spain on Thursday.
In a ninth straight showing with double-digits in points and performance index rating, Dzanan Musa recorded a team-high 19 points. “The most important thing is protecting our home court. That is one of the reasons we are first in the EuroLeague,” the Bosnian guard referred to the winning streak at home.
Milestone for Wade Baldwin IV
The Israel champions fell to 13-11 despite Wade Baldwin IV setting his season-high at 28 points with 9/19 field goals, including his 2,000th point in the EuroLeague. Bonzie Colson had 25 points in the losing effort. Moving from Madrid to Vitoria-Gasteiz, the next challenge is against Baskonia on Thursday.
“We needed something extra in defense,” noted Maccabi head coach Oded Kattash on the loss versus the EuroLeague leaders, “We can’t allow over 100 points and want to win the game, especially here. It is not easy against Real Madrid.”
“Probably, we could have finished the game a little earlier,” commented winning play-caller Mateo, “They have a very good team and are fighting for the Playoffs.”
Staying on the injury list, Walter Tavares (right ankle) and Sergio Llull (right foot) were unavailable for the defending champions. For the visitors, Rafi Menco (back) did not make the trip to Spain.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net