By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Darussafaka Dogus broke the spell and returned on the winning side by beating Real Madrid 81-68 in Istanbul. The Turkish team improved to a 6-6 record, while this was Real’s 4th loss in 12 games.
Led by Brad Wanamaker’s incredible career high performance of 27 points, the hosts achieved a much desired win in style. Will Clyburn added 14 points, Adrien Moerman 12 (5 rebs), while Semih Erden had 7 points and 7 rebounds.
For Real Madrid, Felipe Reyes had 16 points, Othello Hunter followed with 10 and Rudy Fernandez added 9.
The hosts managed to pull a lead in their favor in the first period, though Dairis Bertans hit a buzzer at the end of the quarter, reducing the gap to 17-20. With Jonas Maciulis’ help, the Whites expanded to 10 points at 14′, with the hosts’ reaction being immediate. Not only did David Blatt’s team cover the deficit, but grabbed a 4-point lead at halftime, 35-31.
Darussafaka kept beng in charge of the game and halfway through the third period the Turkish team was up by 10, 44-34. Luka Doncic reduced to 52-44 with a buzzer, yet Real couldn’t use this as a motive to accelerate in the final period. Quite the contrary, as the hosts used their offensive tools perfectly, with their biggest lead being 21 points (80-59).