Llull's Real complete the sweep against Maccabi to secure a place in Final Four / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

After producing a pair of dominant performances in the Spanish capital,Real Madridwasted no time in Tel Aviv, beating the hosts at sold-out Menora Mivtachim Arena and securing a Final Four berth.

Player of the Game EFF 25 Guerschon Yabusele Points 16 Accuracy 6-7 Rebounds 8 Assists 2

Los Blancos prevailed overMaccabi Playtika, 87-76 (25-22, 26-19, 22-20, 14-15), thus handing the first home loss for the yellows in 2022.

Real's last time in Final Four was in 2019. Overall, it's going to be their 12th appearance in the final stage of the EuroLeague (including the European champions cup).

12 times is tied for third-most, together with Maccabi. CSKA lead with 20, while Barcelona are second with 15 appearances.

Moreover, it will be the 7th Final Four for head coach Pablo Laso in 10 years.

Led by Guerschon Yabusele, Walter Tavares, and Sergio Llull, Real went on a 9-0 run at the end of the second quarter and created a solid 14-point advantage (48-34).

Ante Zizic scored a couple of baskets in a row to reduce Maccabi's deficit to 10 points (41-51) at halftime. In the first 20 minutes, Real played great team basketball, while sharing the ball. Pablo Laso's squad had 18 assists down the stretch.

Sergio Llull scored four straight points, closing the third quarter on a high note. He initiated a late 7-0 run and Real were up by 12 (73-61) before the decisive 10 minutes of the duel.

Guerschon Yabusele, Alberto Abalde, and Vincent Poirier added points on their own and Real had plus 15 (83-68) with 4 minutes to go in the match. That was more than enough for Real's victory.

Sergio Llull remembered his best times in this game, posting a team-high 18 points (6/9 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 3/4 FT), 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, and 19 PIR.

Guerschon Yabusele was the most efficient player on the court, accumulating 16 points (4/4 2PT, 2/3 3PT, 2/5 FT), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, and 25 PIR.

"First, I want to congratulate my players. I think they did a great job in this series, from the first minute until we finished it. I want to give a lot of credit to Maccabi as well. They kept fighting until the end," commented Pablo Laso post-game.

Scottie Wilbekin had 22 points (6/11 2PT, 2/10 3PT, 4/5 FT), 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 16 PIR for the losing squad.

"I feel sad and proud. I really wanted to take this game. I feel that we left everything on the floor, but unfortunately, we played against a very good team, and we didn't really manage to win. We look forward to the local Israeli League and taking the title," spoke Avi Even.

Real: Sergio Llull 18 (6 AST), Guerschon Yabusele 16 (8 REB), Vincent Poirier 14 (6 REB), Walter Tavares 9, Nigel Williams-Goss 9.

Maccabi: Scottie Wilbekin 22, James Nunnally 17 (5 REB), Ante Zizic 10, Jalen Reynolds 9.

Highlights

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