Real Madrid Makes History: ACB Day 16 Victory Marks 74th Win of 2023

ACB day 16

Real MadridValencia Basket

2023 is already history for Real Madrid. This afternoon, the white team closed a glorious year (Euroleague and Super Cup) with the icing on the cake of its 74th victory since January 1, a record for any ACB club, after defeating Valencia (83-74) at the Wizink Center. Chus Mateo and his pupils will take the grapes as outstanding leaders of the ACB (15-1, two more victories than Unicaja) and the Euroleague (16-1, the record for victories in a first round), brimming with confidence facing the 2024. Their first bet, the most important, Barcelona at the Palau on January 3.

Real Madrid knew that Valencia is one of the most physical teams in the ACB, the one that best punishes losses and makes you run the most. The first possession of the match was a clear example of Mumbrú’s plan: intense defense, recovery and transition for a Davies dunk. But Chus Mateo’s men were warned and fought fire with fire, increasing the intensity and causing their rival to lose (7 in the first quarter). Very seriously, Madrid opened the gap and did not let off the accelerator until they were +10 on the scoreboard (25-15 in the second quarter after a 9-2 partial). Chacho and Poirier provided rhythm and freshness from the bench, Llull was a constant threat, and the white stands celebrated the return of Hezonja, who was absent in Thursday’s Euroleague duel against ASVEL due to flu.

Valencia, however, did not lose their grip on the match. Chris Jones and Jovic, from the bench, kept Mumbrú’s team afloat before the break (41-34), and a triple from Ojeleye at the start of the second half (41-37) brought them back into the fight. Madrid ran the risk of letting themselves go and getting into trouble, but not today, not in 2023 in which the whites’ winning gene has been absolute. With a run of 10-2, the whites went +12 (51-39), and the fouls began to weigh on Valencia. Davies committed the fourth and Inglis the third, unprotecting his interior zone against the colossus Tavares (6 points at halftime, 7 in the third quarter).

The match was becoming more and more difficult for the locals, but Valencia was quickening its chances of getting back into the game. Two consecutive triples from Robertson brought his team within 11 (67-56) after being 16 down in the last quarter. The Taronja tried hard to make things difficult for Madrid in the final stretch, but the quality of the whites on both sides of the court and the terrible free throw percentage of Mumbrú’s team (5 of 15, 33%) outweighed . Madrid did not need a final bugle call and, with a good defense, finished the match and this historic 2023.

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2023-12-31 15:17:55
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