Strong finish in the fourth quarter and Causeur's season-high lift Real over Maccabi / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Angel Martinez/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Angel Martinez/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

After winning just two of their last 10 games, Real Madrid proved the old adage that form is temporary, but class is permanent.

The Royal club switched on the playoffs mode against in-form Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv that roared into the playoffs with a run of six straight wins. Los Blancos prevailed over the yellows 84-74 (25-19, 22-19, 18-18, 18-19).

Maccabi remain winless at WiZink Center since 2010.

Despite having plus 12 (68-56) at the start of the fourth quarter, Real complicated their positions. Scottie Wilbekin and Angelo Coloiaro-led Maccabi arranged a 7-0 run and cut their deficit to only 5 points (63-68).

The same 5 points (76-71) differed both clubs with 2:50 to go in the duel. However, powered by Nigel Williams-Goss, Guerschon Yabusele, and Walter Tavares' buckets, Real made a clutch 8-0 push, which sealed the deal for the Royal club (84-71).

Fabien Causeur posted a season-best performance, accumulating 20 points (3/5 2PT, 4/6 3PT, 2/2 FT), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, and 21 PIR.

"I saw my team very concentrated the whole game, and that is something that we were talking about before the match. That feeling that you can play good, you can play bad, but you are focused for 40 minutes. That is something that we showed today. We had some better moments, some bad moments, but we were still convinced of what we were doing for 40 minutes. I am very happy about the victory," Pablo Laso said post-game.

Scottie Wilbekin had 20 points (1/3 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 6/6 FT) on the losing side. He also grabbed 3 rebounds, dished 3 assists, made 3 turnovers, and collected 21 PIR.

"First of all, it was a good game by Real. We missed some opportunities that we had to take the momentum. We will be here again in 48 hours," Avi Even spoke shortly.

Thomas Heurtel and Trey Thompkins were not on the playing roster for Real Madrid tonight.

Real: Fabien Causeur 20 (4 REB, 5 AST), Guerschon Yabusele 15 (4 REB), Rudy Fernandez 12, Adam Hanga 11, Nigel Williams-Goss 11 (4 REB, 8 AST).

Maccabi: Scottie Wilbekin 20, Roman Sorkin 12 (5 REB), James Nunnally 10, Jalen Reynolds 10.

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