Sweet revenge: Tavares leads dominant Real in a win against UNICS / News - Basketnews.com

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

In a battle of the upper standings part, Real Madrid (17-3) hosted UNICS Kazan (12-8) in a postponed game from Round 19.

Player of the Game EFF 28 Walter Tavares Points 14 Accuracy 5-8 Rebounds 11 Assists 1

The Royal club left no chance for the Russians, crushing them 85-68 (21-14, 26-17, 27-14, 11-23). Real reached their sixth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague victory in a row and got revenge for the defeat in Kazan (58-65).

Sergio Llull nailed three treys in a row, while Walter Tavares converted a 2+1 play and Real organized a 12-0 push to gain a double-digit lead (24-14) at the start of the second period.

Los Blancos did not stop as Rudy Fernandez and Walter Tavares were playing top-notch basketball. Real were in front by 16 points, going into the 15-minute break (47-31).

In the second half, the same story repeated. UNICS were no match for Real, while Yabusele-led Royal club built a massive 31-point lead (69-38) in the mid-third period. The rest of the match was a mere formality.

Walter Tavares dominated under the baskets, posting a double-double with 14 points (5/8 2PT, 4/4 FT), 11 rebounds, and 28 PIR.

"This was a great game. We just have to keep fighting and try to be [in the first place] because we know it is not easy. But we fight until the end," said Tavares post-game.

Tonye Jekiri accumulated 13 points (5/6 2PT, 3/4 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 20 PIR to lead the losing squad.

Real: Walter Tavares 14 (11 REB), Guerschon Yabusele 13 (5 REB), Alberto Abalde 11, Rudy Fernandez 9 (4 AST).

UNICS: Tonye Jekiri 13, Lorenzo Brown 13 (8 AST, 18 PIR), Mario Hezonja 10 (4 REB), O.J. Mayo 10 (4 REB).

Highlights

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