Poirier, Tavares dominate under the baskets, as Real prevail shorthanded Crvena Zvezda / News - Basketnews.com

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Real Madrid (9-2) defeated Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (4-7) 79-67 (16-13, 16-19, 25-14, 22-21) to extend their Turkish Airlines EuroLeague winning stretch to four victories in a row.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Walter Tavares Points 15 Accuracy 7-9 Rebounds 4 Assists 0

Real started the second half with an 18-6 push (50-38). Thomas Heurtel and Walter Tavares were the main go-to guys.

Pablo Laso's squad did not let their opponents feel the rhythm and the whites decided the game outcome behind an 11-3 run at the start of the last period (68-49). Vincent Poirier and Alberto Abalde contributed with the buckets.

For the winners, big men Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier were the brightest players on the court. Tavares registered 15 points (7/9 2PT, 1/1 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 2 drawn fouls, and 23 PIR while the Frenchman added 14 points (7/9 2PT, 0/1 3PT), 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, 1 drawn foul, and the same 23 PIR.

"We did better in the third quarter and that’s what helped us win the game. For sure, I think, we deserve to be there [in the standings], we work hard, we work for the position, so we gotta keep working because we still have a lot of games to go," Tavares told post-game.

"As head coach, I have the feeling that I should be critical to my team because of the first half. Nevertheless, I believe that it would be quite absurd on my side not to understand that there is the fourth match in seven days and that it was difficult to get in the game. That’s why I want to congratulate the guys because of the win," Pablo Laso said.

Austin Hollins was a top performer for the Crvena Zvezda, accumulating 16 points (2/4 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 3/4 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 3 drawn fouls, and 17 PIR.

"We played good the first 20 minutes, but in the second half, we didn’t have enough energy to continue the same defense like in the first 20 minutes. They took advantage and took control of the game. We had so many problems, but in the end, we played a solid game," commented Dejan Radonjic after the loss.

Real came out strong and organized an early 14-5 run, as Adam Hanga and Walter Tavares were leading the way. Crvena Zvezda did not hesitate to come back. The red and whites answered with a 11-2 on their own to tie the game at 16. Maik Zirbes scored 6 points. Both clubs were trading buckets and went into the break with the tied result of 32-32.

Luka Mitrovic, Nate Wolters, and Nikola Kalinic missed the game for Crvena Zvezda.

Real: Walter Tavares 15 (4 REB, 4 BLK), Vincent Poirier 14 (8 REB), Adam Hanga 11 (6 REB, 3 AST, 22 PIR), Alberto Abalde 9, Thomas Heurtel 9 (5 REB, 4 AST).

Crvena Zvezda: Austin Hollins 16, Maik Zirbes 12 (4 REB), Ognjen Dobric 9, Ognjen Kuzmic 8, Nikola Ivanovic (3 REB, 5 AST, 4 TO).

Highlights

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