Three away games, Virtus, Red Star and Maccabi, and three defeats for Madrid against rivals who will be difficult to see back in the spring among the best. What happened in Belgrade against the Israelis came about due to a defensive mess that allowed the Maccabees to believe it and they did so until the end. Madrid’s final reaction was canceled out by a triple from Blatt with five seconds remaining. The whites’ best scorer, Hezonja, had the ball to win, but he didn’t get it right.
In Belgrade, in one of Maccabi’s last home games at Sala Pionir, Madrid was once again a disconcerting team. In the same scenario in which Barça had recently won by 21 (71-92), Scariolo’s Madrid made its weakness as a visitor even more ugly. And the beginning was more than correct. Madrid opened and closed the first quarter with two triples, from Maledon and Okeke. Furthermore, the defense, the second best in the competition, had complied, conceding only 17 points. What happened from there was a permanent invitation for the Maccabees to score from any position. The second quarter of the Madrid defense was a collective resignation that Walker IV, Brisset and Sorkin took advantage of. Tavares’ two fouls helped, but the succession of simple baskets by the locals was unbearable.
The American forward went into the break with 23 points and five three-pointers without a miss. Sorkin was too comfortable inside and Brisset decided to cheer up when he saw the amount of facilities. Because to the null defense were added the losses and gifts from the free throw line (20/29 for 69 percent). Madrid resisted because Hezonja had one of those days in which he is capable of scoring from anywhere. Because Lyles justified his choice of “most interesting player” among Euroleague rookies and because Garuba had a surprisingly scoring day. It was difficult for Madrid to stop the bleeding. He didn’t until Garuba came into action in the third quarter. A team that only allows 79.8 points per game went to the decisive stage having already conceded 76. The reaction came because Campazzo and Maledon appeared, Hezonja continued doing his thing and the team became aware again that they had to defend.
One of the problems against Maccabi is letting the Israelis trust themselves, something that Barça did not allow. The defensive mistakes returned and Oded Katash’s team faced the final stretch with an advantage (84-77). Scariolo recovered Tavares for the cause, but his fourth and fifth fouls, both in attack, were evidence that it was not the giant’s evening. Garuba appeared in his place and the challenge was to overcome four points in a couple of minutes. A three-pointer by Facu put out the fire and the success of the free throw – the last four scored – allowed Madrid to take the lead again, 89-91, with 25.7 left to play. The ball reached Walker who missed the triple, but the ball returned to the local hands and Blatt did hit the three (92-91). There were 4.3 left and the ball reached Hezonja. The Croatian was left with 24 points scored because his awkward shot from three meters had no reward. Madrid still hasn’t won away from home.
92. Maccabi Tel Aviv (17+40+19+16): Blatt (12), Walker IV (27), Hoard (2), Brisset (18) and Sorkin (21) – starting quintet – Dawtin Jr. (0), Clark III (2), Marcio (1), Leaf (9) and Rayman (0).
91. Real Madrid (27+21+26+17): Maledon (11), Abalde (0), Hezonja (24), Lyles (16) and Tavares (6) – starting quintet – Campazzo (14), Garuba (12), Kramer (3), Deck (2), Okeke (3) and Almansa (0).
Referees: Javor (Esl), Nedovic (Esl) and Obrknezevic (Ser). No eliminated.
Incidents: 400 spectators in the Pionir Hall in Belgrade. Match corresponding to the sixth day of the Euroleague.
Sixth day: Maccabi Tel Aviv, 92-Real Madrid, 91; ASVEL-Dubai Basketball (19:30); Hapoel Tel Aviv-Monaco (20:05); Barcelona-Zalgiris Kaunas (20:30); Armani Milan-Valencia Basket (20:30); Red Star-Baskonia (9:00 p.m.); Anadolu Efes-Fenerbahçe (7:30 p.m., Friday the 24th); Virtus-Panathinaikos (8:00 p.m., Friday the 24th); Partizan-Paris Basketball (8:30 p.m., Friday the 24th) and Bayern Munich-Olympiacos (8:45 p.m., Friday the 24th). (All in Movistar +).
Classification (wins/losses): 1. Panathinaikos (4/1); 2. Hapoel Tel Aviv (4/1); 3. Monaco (3/2); 4. Paris Basketball (3/2); 5. Zalgiris Kaunas (3/2); 6. Barcelona (3/2); 7. Olympiacos (3/2); 8. Red Star (3/2); 9. Dubai Basketball (3/2); 11. Partizan (3/2); 11. Virtus Bologna (3/2); 12. Real Madrid (3/3); 13. Armani Milan (2/3); 14. Fenerbahce (2/3); 15. Valencia Basket (2/3); 16. Anadolu Efes (2/3); 17. Bayern Munich (2/3); 18. Maccabi (2/4); 19. ASVEL Villeurbanne (1/4); 20. Baskonia (0/5):