Real Madrid secured a hard-fought ACB league victory on the road against Obradoiro, claiming their second win of the domestic campaign following a demanding week in the EuroLeague. French players Théo Maledon and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot rescued Real Madrid in an intense overtime battle after a relentless display from the newly promoted Galician side.
Santiago Fight Forces Overtime Drama
Obradoiro refused to back down despite their underdog status on their home floor. Shooters Marcus Childress, Leo Meindl, and Trent Barcello punished Real Madrid from beyond the arc, erasing early deficits and matching the visitors blow for blow. Barcello sparked a 14-6 run in the third quarter that erased Real Madrid’s cushion, while the Santiago squad kept the pressure high into the closing minutes. The relentless effort from the Santiago squad forced the game into an extra session tied at the end of regulation. In the first quarter, Childress, Meindl, and Barcello struck hard from the three-point line, a powerful burst that forced the scoreboard to sign a 22-22 tie. In the second, Dos Anjos joined his teammates, and Obradoiro seemed ready to take off. During the final act, Maledon took control of the duel again, with the shooting guard’s emergence forced by an Obradoiro that refused to surrender thanks, in part, to Agada’s performance. Luwawu-Cabarrot and Nick Smith Jr. also put more meat on the grill, and Real Madrid’s final takeoff seemed imminent, although the Santiagans always found some way to keep the faith of their fans alive. Soriano and Quintela were among the many reasons for the local ambition. In the extra time and led by Childress, the Santiagans pushed the whites to the limit, unsettled at times by a push they failed to minimize.
French Duet Carries the Whites Through the Extratime
Real Madrid’s offense leaned heavily on its backcourt when the game threatened to slip away. Maledon and Luwawu-Cabarrot took control during key stretches, combining for 15 quick points in the second quarter alone to establish an 11-point halftime lead. Alero and base combined to score 15 points almost consecutively, a blow on the table to which Tavares and Jantunen also contributed. And, when the Madrid stumble seemed closest, Jantunen and Okeke appeared to give a bit of air to a team that looked suffocated.
Tactical Rotations Under Pedro Martínez
Pedro Martínez utilized his bench extensively despite the physical toll of their recent European schedule. Alongside rotations featuring Feliz and Pradilla, Italian wing Gabriele Procida stepped into an expanded role and delivered key minutes during the Santiago assignment. Despite securing the win, the performance highlighted ongoing struggles for a Real Madrid side that has yet to find a smooth, consistent rhythm early in the season.
Real Madrid Moves to 2-0 Record
The hard-earned victory moves Real Madrid to a 2-0 record through the opening two rounds of the Liga ACB regular season.
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