César Suárez
Real Madrid has won the fourth game, played in Bulgaria
Profimedia
Real Madrid will once again compete in a Final Four, keeping alive their hopes of lifting another EuroLeague title, which would be their 12th. In the fourth playoff game, they overcame Hapoel Tel Aviv and earned the right to return to their natural habitat. Once again, an outstanding performance from Usman Garuba contributed significantly to achieving the Madrid club’s goal.
Hapoel Tel Aviv vs. Real Madrid statistics center
Motivated by the chance to extend the series to a fourth game and perhaps also by their president’s boasts, the Israelis, especially Oturu, came out like rockets in the Bulgarian exile with an 11-2 run. However, Real Madrid calmly handled the situation, gradually taking control with Hezonja and Campazzo leading the way, and finished the first quarter ahead, 21-23.
Hapoel vs. Real Madrid statistics
Flashscore
The entry of Andrés Feliz and Garuba’s intensity further increased the whites’ dominance. They opened a gap with a 0-13 run in the first three minutes of the second quarter (21-36). Hapoel’s reaction was expected and came, especially in protecting their own rim, but also with Micic and Oturu hammering the opponent’s basket. Once again, Campazzo, breaking ankles, made things clear for his team with a buzzer-beating three-pointer before halftime (36-46).
There were still opportunities for both sides, although Scariolo’s men managed to hold off the Israelis, who cut the deficit to just five points. But the lead doubled again by the end of the third quarter. From there, the Madrid team gave no further chances, controlling their nerves well and maintaining a comfortable, if not decisive, margin to seal the victory and, in the process, earn the right to return to a Final Four after the forced break of the previous season.
The MVPs
Garuba was once again the most complete player for Madrid with 16 points, six rebounds, and a 20 rating. Oturu (29 points, 34 rating) and Micic (18 points, 11 assists, also 34 rating) were the best for Hapoel.
Mentions
Basketball
Real Madrid
Hapoel Tel Aviv
EuroLeague
Liga Endesa
