By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Sergio Llull scored 12 out of his 19 points in the fourth period and Anthony Randolph dropped a game-high 24 points, as Real Madrid beat Anadolu Efes 92 – 84 at home to improve its EuroLeague record to 16 – 4.
Efes, on the other hand, dropped to 13 – 7 but remains fourth in the standings following Olympiacos‘ loss to Fenerbahce. Vasilije Micic had 21 points plus five assists and Tibor Pleiss 15 points for the Turkish side.
Real had a decisive streak in the second stretch of the fourth quarter. With the score 72 – 72 and seven minutes remaining, Llull erupted with eight points in a row to give his team an eight-point lead. Efes draw closer but a bucket by Facu Campazzo plus a 3-pointer by Llull for the 89 – 81 with 1:21 left to play sealed the win for the hosts.
Llull finished with also eight rebounds and five assists, plus a nasty nutmeg dribble on Krunoslav Simon.
“I think it is the key; when we are all having fun together, we play great basketball. We knew Efes is a really good team, they are playing really well this season. It was a tough game, but we got another win at home, an important win, so we are happy. “ Llull said.
Randolph notched 17 of his points before the break and an impressive number of 14 in the first quarter, being the focal point for his team and the main reason Real matched Efes’ overall offensive game. Coach Ergin Ataman’s team held the lead for most of the first half after entering the game up 4 – 10. The two teams were quite close after halftime until Llull took matters into his own hands.