Euroleague day 19
The night had gone wrong and what should have been a kind of tribute to , who took to the field after wearing the Real Madrid shirt 1,200 times throughout his sporting career, had become a crisis situation. Sergio Scariolo’s team went into the break 14 points behind and with a very poor defensive image. The Mallorcan is already a legend that is supported by impressive figures. This Friday, on matchday 19 of the Euroleague, he also reached 1,500 assists and has long been the player who has never played the most games in the Euroleague (there are already 464). But Madrid reacted in the second half, with 63 points, to add their eleventh victory (107-93).
The first half was a defensive mess for Real Madrid, which seemed like a very delicate team that did not like to roll up its sleeves and arrived at halftime waving the white flag after conceding 58 points (44-58). He does not show continuity in this task and has been too permeable in his rim for several games. It didn’t take long for the whites to realize that they were in for another complicated night. One more in Europe. After 15 minutes they were already suffering on the scoreboard (36-43) and although the Italian coach put Facu Campazzo, Mario Hezonja and Edy Tavares on the board again, Dubai reached the boiling point.
The most exotic team in the Euroleague, a rival that lives 7,500 kilometers from Madrid, has completed a very well-equipped squad that allows it to move with great dignity into its debut in the great European competition. Jurica Golemac’s team, which was making its debut at the Movistar Arena, grew stronger as it saw its opponent falter under its rim and, play after play, extended its lead until reaching a 14-point lead.
Madrid did not know how to respond and continued to bleed in defense, with 34 points conceded in the second quarter. “Inadmissible”, at the break. His team has not finished collapsing in the Euroleague thanks to its performance in its fiefdom – it has eight wins in nine appearances. They couldn’t afford to concede almost 60 points in one half. Tavares was too alone and they couldn’t resolve the attack either, very static, with a hasty Andrés Feliz.
The minutes in the locker room must not have been very peaceful. Real Madrid came out furious, ready to reduce the deficit and, above all, to repair the poor image offered in the first two quarters. Now it was Dubai that could not contain the white tide, which in less than four minutes had practically eliminated its disadvantage in the light (55-58). This Madrid was different. Campazzo’s winged feet were flying again and, with Abalde on the court, vital in the comeback, Trey Lyles shone again and provided the points that his side was missing. Madrid was breathing with a partial score of 20-6 (64-64).
The last step was missing. The disgrace seemed settled, but Madrid finished the third quarter with unfinished business (73-74). The defensive work illuminated the white attack, finally released. The level of demand had risen, as demonstrated by the intense Garuba while he gave . Hezonja joined the cause to finish subduing Dubai, now without a response.
Baskonia, for its part, collapsed in the second half at the Buesa Arena against Fenerbahce and suffered a heavy defeat (93-108).
