Dominant Performance Fuels Madrid’s Euroleague Ambitions

Real Madrid demonstrated their championship mettle with a commanding 96-89 victory over Olimpia Milan, further solidifying their position as a top contender in the Euroleague. With only three games remaining in the regular season – a home game against Paris and two away games in Belgrade against Red Star and Partizan – this win was crucial for securing a favorable playoff seed. The team’s dominance on the boards,out-rebounding Milan by 16,coupled with improved three-point shooting and stellar performances from Dzanan Musa (21 points) and Walter Tavares (19 points,7 rebounds),proved to be the difference-makers.

Early Lead Sets the Tone

From the opening tip-off, Real Madrid asserted their dominance. Tavares,alongside a rejuvenated Usman Garuba,spearheaded an early surge,propelling Madrid to a 12-3 lead. Alberto Abalde’s perimeter shooting and Gabriel Deck’s relentless energy further fueled the offensive onslaught. Milan struggled to find their rhythm, managing only one field goal in the first four minutes, as Madrid’s stifling defense and the imposing presence of Garuba and Tavares in the paint created an insurmountable barrier. Bruno Fernando’s contribution off the bench ensured that Madrid maintained their advantage, concluding the first quarter with a agreeable 31-16 lead.

Milan’s Brief Resurgence

The second quarter saw Milan attempt to claw their way back into the game. Despite their reputation as a strong three-point shooting team, their initial attempts from beyond the arc fell short. though, Musa, Sergio Llull, and mario Hezonja capitalized from distance, extending Madrid’s lead to 45-30. As the clock ticked down, Milan coach Ettore Messina urged his team to increase their tempo and disrupt Madrid’s defensive setup. A flurry of three-pointers from Shavon Shields, Devon Hall, and Zach LeDay ignited a brief comeback. Though, Llull’s buzzer-beating three-pointer, a signature moment for the veteran guard, stemmed the tide and widened the gap to 54-41 at halftime. this shot also allowed Llull to surpass Juan Carlos Navarro as the fourth-highest scorer in Euroleague history, trailing only Mike James, nando de Colo, and Vassilis Spanoulis.

Campazzo and Tavares Reassert Control

The dynamic duo of Facundo Campazzo and tavares once again took center stage in the third quarter.Milan continued to rely on outside shooting, with LeDay and Fabien Causeur finding success from beyond the arc.However, Garuba’s unsportsmanlike foul on Nikola Mirotic, followed by Mirotic’s subsequent free throws and a three-pointer, narrowed the deficit to 63-59. Madrid experienced a period of disconnection, committing several turnovers. Campazzo, with a timely three-pointer and a powerful drive to the basket, and Tavares, with his commanding presence in the paint, steadied the ship and restored Madrid’s dominance, extending the lead to 78-63.

Closing Out the Victory

Milan had a window of possibility in the final quarter, but their inability to capitalize proved costly. Despite closing the gap, they ultimately failed to deliver the decisive blow. Real Madrid, fueled by Musa’s scoring prowess and Milan’s increasingly desperate play, managed to maintain their lead. Mirotic’s late three-pointer offered a glimmer of hope for Milan,but it was too little,too late. The contributions from Madrid’s role players further solidified the victory, highlighting the team’s depth and resilience. With a crucial game against Red Star looming on Friday, Real Madrid is poised to continue their quest for Euroleague glory.