By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid keeps on its winning path by clinching a 90-79 victory over hosts Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 5 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, in a clash that resembled the Belgrade Final Four this past May!
Rudy Fernandez and Anthony Randolph played a key role in the win for Real. Fernandez’s contribution from the three-point line added up to a 15-point performance, while Randolph added 16 points for the winners who closed the game the right way.
Notably, Gustavo Ayon finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The game turned into Real’s favor as Fernandez and Randolph stepped up with consecutive threes in the final minutes of the game, despite Zalgiris’ resistance after getting a 32-18 lead at the first period. The score was tied at 73 with five minutes left and Madrid dominated those final minutes with a 17-6 run.
“I the think first quarter clearly showed us how the game was going to be. They outplayed us, played very hard and very aggressive. But that helped us understand the game. In the second half we were able to move the ball well and had a good percentage behind the three-point line which is important to winning here”, mentioned winning coach Pablo Laso in his post-game quotes.
The visiting side managed to bounce back in the second quarter and eventually resisted their tough hosts, with Paulius Jankunas (18 p.) causing trouble to the opposing defense. “Now my emotions speak, but I believe we gave them the win“, said Zalgiris coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. “We had so many advantages, but as soon as we were ahead, we got in love with ourselves. We had them, but let them go”.
Real continues undefeated after five rounds, while the Lithuanian squad fell to a 2-3 record.
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