Real Madrid demolish Breogan, take their first April win ahead of EuroLeague playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Sonia Canada/Getty Images Credit Sonia Canada/Getty Images

Real Madrid (20-9) had collected just three wins in their last ten ACB games, having dropped both of their last two contests against Lenovo Tenerife and FC Barcelona. But this time, Pablo Laso's men were not in for any surprises.

As 'free-to-go' players Thomas Heurtel and Trey Thompkins watched from the sidelines, 'Los Blancos' captured an easy 90-65 (26-13, 27-16, 24-16, 13-20) home win over 10th-placed Rio Breogan (14-15).

Gabriel Deck's 10 points in the first quarter paced the hosts, helping them get an early double-digit lead which surpassed the 20-point mark (37-16) midway through the second quarter. Real kept it up, dishing out assists and circulating the ball in an exemplary way.

Even though Breogan cut down the deficit to 14 (43-29), Madrid responded with an offensive storm and a 10-0 run premised upon their chances to score easy points in transition.

Veliko Mrsic saw his players give up all hope. With Breogan going 9/32 from the field and committing 10 turnovers in the first half, there was no coming back into the game from a 24-point hole (53-29).

In an effort to contain the hosts' three-point efficiency, the Croatian coach made use of a zone defense, but to no avail. On the contrary, Real Madrid's pace was unstoppable against a team that recently lost its leader, Dzanan Musa, to a serious injury. Breogan continued to struggle on both ends, as Laso took the opportunity to rotate players, distributing the playing time between them.

Although Real Madrid turned off the engine in the fourth quarter, everything had been decided in the first 30 minutes.

Real Madrid: Gabriel Deck 15 (6/6 FG, 2/3 FT, 7 REB), Nigel Williams-Goss 14 (4/6 FG, 4/4 FT, 4 REB, 4 AST), Anthony Randolph 13 (4/7 FG, 2/2 FT), Walter Tavares 13 (6/8 FG, 1/1 FT, 4 REB, 3 BS), Alberto Abalde 10 (4 AST).

Rio Breogan: Tyler Kalinoski 10 (4/9 FG, 3 REB, 3 AST), Rahid Mahalbasic 9 (4/9 FG, 6 REB, 6 TO).

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.