Without an audience, but with one more victory to settle at the top of the competition. Madrid forgot about the atypical scenario of an empty Movistar Arena in the third quarter to focus on the game and finish off a fragile Maccabi. Beyond the numbers, Campazzo (15 points, 5 assists and 3 steals) and Tavares (9 points and 11 rebounds) were in charge of calling their teammates to order to apply themselves in defense. The Israelis, who had just fallen into an empty Palau, were barely able to respond to the exchange of blows with which the clash began.
The interior of the Movistar Arena was reminiscent of the WiZink Center almost five years ago. The big difference with the pandemic was outside, in Plaza Felipe II. Just under a thousand protesters, among them some illustrious podemita, and shouts of “Maccabi Tel Aviv, get out of Madrid!” Face about 400 agents, one for every two protesters, a multitude of streets blocked, the perimeter pavilion fenced and a deterrent access at the very least. In that peculiar scenario, Madrid had a hard time taking the temperature of the game. They conceded 47 points at halftime, something that has almost stopped being news. It was the umpteenth proof that in Europe concessions behind are paid for. Maccabi has plenty of talent to take advantage of a friendly defense. Unlike other evenings, the local reaction began thanks to external success.
Between the losses and the external mistake (5 and 1/6 in the first quarter), Madrid trailed half the game. Andrés Feliz was the last rotation player to appear. He did it midway through the second quarter and returned to being his usual agitator. He added to the intensity an extraordinary success from the triple. He connected three in a row (7/9 for the team in the second period and 14/29 in the final) and allowed Madrid to clean up an even score. Without Tavares, Maccabi found highways towards the white ring. Garuba was not noticed; Len yes, but for the worse.
When Campazzo gritted his teeth, the scenario changed definitively. His demand at the back was too much for Maccabi’s attack. The Argentine, with the essential help of Tavares, was the driving force behind a 17-6 partial that wore down the Israelis. The differences went above ten points because the external success was maintained and the intensity of the Maccabees was, at best, low. The scoring output of Oded Katash’s team stood at 18 points in the third quarter and Madrid allowed itself the luxury of a peaceful ending.
98. Real Madrid (21+27+28+22): Campazzo (13), Abalde (7), Okeke (3), Hezonja (16) and Tavares (9) – starting quintet – Lyles (12), Maledon (7), Llull (2), Deck (11), Garuba (4), Len (0) and Feliz (12).
86. Maccabi Tel Aviv (25+22+18+21): Lundberg (12), Blatt (4), Rayman (2), Hoard (10) and Santos (7) – starting quintet – Sorkin (4), Brisett (9), Clark III (11), Di Bartolomeo (14) and Leaf (13).
Referees: Mogulkoc (Tur), Foufis (Gre) and Giovanetti (Ita). Sin deleted. Lundberg technique.
Incidents: closed door at the Movistar Arena. Match corresponding to the twenty-first day of the Euroleague
21st day: Dubai Basketball, 92-Fenerbahçe, 81; Panathinaikos, 84-Virtus Bologna, 71; Valencia, 92-Monaco, 101; Real Madrid, 98-Maccabi Tel Aviv, 86; Zalgiris Kaunas-Red Star (19:00); Olympiacos-Bayern Munich (20:15); Kosner Baskonia-ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30); Barcelona-Partizan (20:30) and Armani Milan-Anadolu Efes (20:30). (All in Movistar +).
Classification (wins/losses): 1. Hapoel Tel Aviv (6/14); 2. Valencia Basket (14/7); 3. Monaco (7/14); 4. Fenerbahçe (7/13); 5. Barcelona (7/13); 6. Real Madrid (8/13); 7. Panathinaikos (8/13); 8. Olympiacos (11/8); 9. Zalgiris Kaunas (9/11); 10. Red Star (9/11); 11. Armani Milan (10/10); 12. Virtus Bologna (10/11); 13. Dubai Basketball (10/11); 14. Maccabi Tel Aviv (8/13); 15. Paris Basketball (7/13); 16. Bayern Munich (7/13); 17. Kosner Baskonia (6/14); 18. Anadolu Efes (6/14); 19. ASVEL Villeurbanne (6/14); 20. Partizan (6/14).
