MADRID, 31 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid closed 2023 in the best way by beating Valencia Basket at the WiZink Center (83-74) in the last game of matchday 16 of the Endesa League, a duel in which they stopped a good 'taronja' team to consolidate the white leadership and put ground in the middle, thanks to the 17 points of Argentine point guard Facundo Campazzo.
With 'Facu', with 'Chacho' Rodríguez and with Sergi Llull, Real Madrid has guaranteed points, rhythms, creativity and phases of good vibes that spread to the rest of the team. This was the basis of the victory this Sunday, December 31, 2023 over a combative Valencia Basket but that could not close the year with a smile.
The 20-15 score in the first quarter already left warnings for Álex Mumbrú's men that they had to continue with a high, demanding physical tone to keep up with Chus Mateo's men. And, as the minutes passed, this omen was confirmed and, as soon as the 'taronja' were giving in in the rotations, the locals pushed and went ahead on the scoreboard.
The 17 points and 7 assists of Campazzo, or the 13 points and 10 rebounds of Walter Tavares, as well as the 5 assists of a 'Chacho' who allowed himself the luxury of only shooting three triples (he made one) and a basket from Two were, along with the 12 points from a luxury secondary like Eli John Ndiaye, too much for Valencia Basket.
In the 'taronja', Chris Jones stood out, with 19 points and 5 assists, as well as the physical contribution of Brandon Davies (10 points and 5 rebounds) and the help of Xabi López-Arostegui. However, the injured Stefan Jovic was barely able to spend 15 minutes on the track and, yes, he left with 7 points and a good feeling.
With this victory, Real Madrid reinforces its leadership and has 15 victories and a single defeat in the table, in which Valencia Basket drops to fifth place with the same record of 10-6 as Barça, Murcia and Gran Canaria. This defeat distances them somewhat from the fight to be seeded in the Copa del Rey in February.