By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid saw an 18-point lead getting nearly evaporated by Bayern Munich but eventually got an 82 – 72 road win to improve its EuroLeague record to 12-2.
Anthony Randolph scored a game-high 22 points, grabbed five rebounds and kept Derrick Williams to seven points (2/9 f.g.) while Sergio Llull added 19 points plus six assists. The latter also gave a key push towards the victory of Real with a pair of free throws that made it a three-possession game, 72 – 79, with one minute remaining.
There was still time for Bayern but on the other end, Edy Tavares intercepted a pass by Petteri Koponen to further erase the Bavarian side’s chances. Rudy Fernandez then made a bucket for the double-digit lead that sealed the win of his squad.
“I think Bayern made a great effort defensively trying to stop our game plan, and they also made difficult shots. It was Koponen and Dedovic, and Bayern got into the game, so they came back. We made some stupid mistakes, offensively and defensively. With the advantage that we had, we should have played smarter. But we were able to hang in tough until the end,” Real Madrid coach Pablo said.
Bayern had come back from falling behind 31 – 49 early in the second half to approach at a distance of one bucket, 66 – 68. That was the closest they got though since consecutive triples by Trey Thompkins (10 points, six rebounds) down the stretch kept Real safe.
Stefan Jovic had 11 points and five assists for Bayern that is now 7 – 7. Danilo Barthel pitched 11 points and six boards and Koponen with Nihad Djedovic scored 10 apiece.