By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Four minutes at the end of the third period were enough for Real Madrid in Kaunas against Zalgiris. Once the reigning champs got the lead for the first time in the game, they never looked back, winning the match 75 – 90.
Who else to lead the scorers for the Madridistas other than a guy who knows about making a difference when it matters, like Andres Nocioni. The Argentinian veteran finished with 22 points (and 6/6 from downtown) plus some big shots in the fourth quarter that didn’t only keep his team in control during crucial moments of the game, but also disheartened the efforts of the hosts. Captain Paulius Jankunas did all he could for Zalgiris with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists but his team could not hope for match with a poor 2/17 from downtown, at home.
The two teams were quite close for 25 minutes. In fact Zalgiris Kaunas’ game was tight and smart enough to always keep them in front of the score, until the mid of the third quarter. That was when Felipe Reyes made it 51 – 53, putting his team at the driver’s seat and beginning a 2 – 11 partial score for Real Madrid. Every comeback attempt by the Lithuanians was in vain, since they could not execute as well as it was needed to turn the tide.
All that Real players needed to do was present a strong answer to their opponents, every-time they tried to get closer. Which they did, rather easily, showing a completely different face compared to the one in which they entered the match, which was rather sloppy. Zalgiris Kaunas held the reins in the first two periods, but could not regain them back once they were lost during the third.