Real Madrid's three-point recital torches Baskonia in Game 1 of ACB semifinals / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal Credit BasketNews/Begum Unal

A great offensive third quarter combined with excellent shooting percentages from distance propelled Real Madrid to a comfortable 94-84 (22-19, 22-23, 30-21, 20-21) win over Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Game 1 of the ACB semi-final series.

3-pointers this season

35%8,7Points made:8,7Accuracy:34,7%Place in standings:10Record max:14Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Rokas GiedraitisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Game 2 of this best-of-five series will be played in Madrid again on Saturday at 18:00 CET.

The hosts went 17/34 on 3-point shots, grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, and there was no way they could have lost that contest. Baskonia managed to respond as long as they could knock down shots but couldn't stop Madrid at any point during the game.

Fabien Causeur scored 16 points, Rudy Fernandez added 14, while Edy Tavares had a double-double against struggling Steven Enoch and the other bigs of Baskonia. The team coached by Neven Spahija saw their power forwards, Alec Peters and Matt Costello, space the floor but lacked defensive spark.

Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez combined for 17 points on 5/6 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. Vanja Marinkovic and Wade Baldwin were leading Baskonia scoring-wise, as the two teams went hand-in-hand in the first 20 minutes (44-42).

After a completely balanced first half, Real Madrid got off to a 15-0 run that gave them a 17-point lead (59-42) for the first time.

The Basque side reacted with their big men, Alec Peters and Matt Costello, who provided some necessary points. Those two authored 17 of 21 Baskonia's third-quarter points.

However, Madrid kept making threes from all angles and with different players executing. The hosts showed patience on offense, and even when the outside shots weren't falling, Walter Tavares was there to give some extra chances with his offensive boards.

An unsportsmanlike foul called on Costello allowed Pablo Laso's squad to build on another 11-0 run that simplified everything for the EuroLeague finalists.

Real Madrid's 3-point streak couldn't be threatened even if one of their players made a mistake like Rudy Fernandez did.

The Spanish forward tried to get the ball to Yabusele but saw his pass convert into another shot.

Real Madrid: Fabien Causeur 16 (5/11 FG, 2/2 FT, 6 REB), Rudy Fernandez 14 (4/6 FG, 3 REB, 4 AST), Walter Tavares 12 (5/7 FG, 2/4 FT, 13 REB), Vincent Poirier 11 (5/7 FG, 1/1 FT), Guerschon Yabusele 10.

Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz: Alec Peters 15 (6/10 FG, 1/1 FT, 3 REB), Matt Costello 12 (6 REB, 4 AST), Vanja Marinkovic 11 (4/7 FG), Rokas Giedraitis 10, Wade Baldwin 10 (3 REB, 3 AST, 4 TO).

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