By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Facundo Campazzo wanted to make a statement and did exactly that, leading Real Madrid to the 90-86 win over defending champions Panathinaikos.
The two teams share a 2-2 record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Facu scoring 19 points, dishing six assists, and grabbing five rebounds in an admirable tour de force.
Dzanan Musa added 15 points, Alberto Abalde was the wildcard with 13 and Gabriel Deck scored 11.
“I’m very happy to help the team get a win”, said Campazzo. ” We don’t have to worry about the offense – everyone and anyone can score in this team. We’ve got to take advantage of that and improve as a team on defense. That’s the challenge this season.”
Panathinaikos got one more big game by Kendrick Nunn with 23 points and six assists but it was not enough. Juancho Hernangomez scored 16 and Cedi Osman had 13, however, the champions trailed from the start and couldn’t steal the game in the end.
An early lead was enough
Real Madrid was eager for the duel and jumped to a 28-17 lead at the end of the first period with Campazzo scoring 10 points after serving a one-game suspension.
The period ended with Panathinaikos down by nine (28-19) after a Papapetrou shot. Real Madrid led by 11 (30-19) and despite the effort of the champs making it a four-point game (40-36), the halftime score was 43-38 in favor of the “Whites”.
The Greeks’ comeback was not completed. Madrid led by 17 (66-49), had a 12-point advantage entering the last period (70-58), and kept its distance until the end.
Panathinaikos managed to trim the final point difference to four points after entering the last two minutes with Real up by nine (90-81) but couldn’t get into sticking distance.
Photo credit: EuroLeague