Madrid needed a notable version of their “bajitos” to put an end to one of the revelations of the season, Zalgiris Kaunas. It was an agonizing victory because the Lithuanians compete like no one else led by a point guard like Sylvain Francisco. Campazzo (20 points and 4 assists), Feliz (6 points and 4 steals) and Maledon (25 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists) had to intervene to counteract the Frenchman’s weight.
One of Real Madrid’s needs in the face of its scoring crises is for Campazzo not to limit himself to directing. The team needs points from the Argentine and that was what he dedicated himself to in a hyperactive first quarter. Between the point guard and the intimidation of Tavares, Madrid gained momentum, but it was not enough to stagger the Lithuanians. The Kaunas team has admirable competitive consistency. And this was shown at the Movistar Arena, although he could not count on the services of Williams-Goss. The former Real Madrid player is one of his pillars, but his strength is in the block with Francisco’s dazzling individuality. The French base was in charge of counteracting the activity of “Facu.” And Maledon was the one who took over in Madrid. The match was balanced. And the whites went to halftime without having scored a triple, but the statistic was not scandalous because they only shot four.
The problems came, as on other occasions, in the third quarter. Sylvain Francisco (33 points with 7/9 in triples, 3 rebounds and 11 assists) took control of the game and did not let go. Between the point guard and Tubelis on the inside they made a mess in Madrid’s defense. And if the team does not work at the back, the contagion effect on the attack is immediate. In the first five minutes of the quarter, Madrid signed as many losses. Scariolo brought together Campazzo and Maledon in search of a solution, but the patch came with Tavares. His role in attack was as much as in defense and was the formula, with the help of Maledon, with which the locals managed to silence the alarms.
When the match got serious, Zalgiris fell into the arms of Sylvain Francisco. Madrid tried all kinds of antidotes. Feliz, Maledon and Campazzo were paired with him. Scariolo tried two bases, but there was no one to stop the Frenchman short. Madrid found the answer in attack with a pair of centers formed by Lyles and Garuba. The dilemma was whether Francisco was going to be able to counteract a more choral Madrid. It was close. Madrid’s next wave arrived with Tavares on the court and with Maledon taking responsibilities in attack. And when the game seemed decided (89-81), Zalgiris returned. The triples rained down and forced a last effort from Campazzo, Maledon and Lyles to avoid a hot flash.
100. Real Madrid (22+21+19+38): Campazzo (22), Abalde (6), Deck (0), Lyles (19) and Tavares (12) – starting quintet – Okeke (0), Hezonja (2), Maledon (25), Garuba (6), Llull (2) and Feliz (6).
99. Zalgiris Kaunas (16+21+25+37): Francisco (33), Sirvydis (0), Ulanovas (8), Tubelis (19) and Birutis (4) – starting quintet – Wright (11), Brazdeikis (10), Lo (1), Sleva (13), Butkevicius (0) and Rubstavicius (0).
Referees: Lottermoser (Ale), Koljensic (Mon) and Kowalski (Pol). Francisco eliminated. Technique on the Zalgiris bench.
Incidents: 7,530 spectators at the Movistar Arena. Match corresponding to the twelfth day of the Euroleague.
12th day: ASVEL Villeurbanne, 52-Monaco, 84; Anadolu Efes, 74-Barcelona, 73; Panathinaikos, 103-Dubai Basketball, 82; Armani Milan, 83-Hapoel Tel Aviv, 105; Real Madrid, 100-Zalgiris, 99; Olympiacos-Paris Basketball (20:15); Baskonia-Bayern Munich (20:30); Partizan-Fenerbahçe (20:30); Virtus Bologna-Maccabi Tel Aviv (20:30) and Valencia-Estrella Roja (21:00). (All in Movistar +).
Classification (wins/losses): 1. Hapoel Tel Aviv (9/3); 2. Red Star (8/3); 3. Panathinaikos (8/4); 4. Olympiacos (7/4); 5. Zalgiris (7/5); 6. Monaco (7/5); 7. Barcelona (7/5); 8. Valencia Basket (6/5); 9. Fenerbahce (6/5); 10. Real Madrid (6/6); 11. Armani Milan (6/6); 12. Paris Basketball (5/6); 13. Virtus Bologna (5/6); 14. Bayern Munich (5/6); 15. Dubai Basketball (5/7); 16. Anadolu Efes (5/7); 17. Partizan (4/7); 18. Maccabi Tel Aviv (3/8); 19. Baskonia (3/8); 20. ASVEL Villeurbanne (3/9).