Real Madrid shoots Zalgiris from triple and remains the leader of the Euroleague

Real Madrid on Thursday added its thirteenth consecutive victory in the Euroleague of basketball by beating Zalgiris by 88-82 thanks to the success from the triple of Rudy Fernández (5 of 8) and Trey Thompkins (4 of 5).

An active pressure after basket was enough for Zalgiris to surprise Real Madrid and sign up the first advantages on the scoreboard (2-8, min. 2.50). Thomas Walkup was the executioner of the Lithuanians in this period, while Trey Thompkins and, above all, Jordan Mickey, playing eaves, were responsible for pulling the car.

The 20-18 with which the first act ended is a faithful reflection of the prevailing equality with the defenses behind the attacks on both teams.

The exit of the second quarter was clearly for a much more active Real Madrid. The 4-0 of the first minute, 24-18, was enough for Sarunas Jasikevicius, a Zalgiris coach, to ask for timeout and recapitulate with his players.

But the real protagonists of this second act were Rudy Fernández and Lukas Lekavicius.

Rudy returned to exhibit the sweet moment he has with the 6.75 meter line, scoring 5 triples in 6 attempts and a total of 17 points, steal and matte included. It goes without saying that the team climbed into its wake to dominate the scoreboard.

Lekavicius was not far behind with 16 points in the fourth and one hundred percent effective: 4 of 4 in 2-point shots, 2 of 2 in triples and 2 of 2 in free throws. A show.

Real Madrid that seemed to break the game, 40-27 (m.16.30), finally reached the locker rooms with a more modest 47-41 due to its problems in the rise of the ball, circulation in general and the poor contribution of its defending.

Facundo Campazzo took over the scorer in a Real Madrid that came out with desire and with 5 points in a row extended the income of the Spanish team, 52-43 (m.22).

Jasikevicius tried to squeeze the good moment from his base, but Campazzo's tiredness and liveliness prevented him. In addition, a slight defensive improvement of Pablo Laso's team helped the advantages grow, 60-48 (m.25.40).

The good doing of Walkup offensive served to keep the Lithuanian team hooked to the game that the score at the end of the third quarter was 68-59.

Zalgiris took the game to the trenches in the last quarter. The game slowed and thickened. The defenses began to take center stage and Laso did not hesitate to give important minutes to a Usman Garuba who showed a maturity, and a hardness, improper of his still 17 years.

Five minutes from the end, a triple of Thompkins, 78-69, allowed Madrid to take a little air and face the end of the game with a certain margin of safety.

The quality, experience and know-how in these situations of the ten-time European champion did the rest. Jasikevicius was disheartened trying to spur his players, but Madrid won by 88-82 and added his thirteenth consecutive victory in the competition, matching his 2013-14 record.

Madrid remains impregnable on its track this season with 18 wins in as many games, 10 in continental competition and 8 in Endesa League

– Data sheet:

88 – Real Madrid (20 + 27 + 21 + 20): Causeur (8), Campazzo (12), Tavares (10), Mickey (13) and Thompkins (20) – initial five -, Rudy (17), Laprovittola (2), Garuba, Carroll, Taylor (6) and Mejri.

82 – Zalgiris Kaunas (18 + 23 + 18 + 23): Walkup (19), Rivers (12), Hayes (6), Landale (11) and Ulanovas (3) – initial five -, Lekavicius (21), Jankunas (3), Milaknis (7) and Leday.

Referees: Damir Javor (ESL), Michele Rossi (ITA) and Aare Halliko (EST). Without eliminated.

Incidents: Match corresponding to the eighteenth day of the Euroleague played at the Sports Palace (Wizink Center) in Madrid before 9,096 spectators.