Seven players in double-digits, as Real Madrid defeat winless, shorthanded Zalgiris / News - Basketnews.com

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

Real Madrid (7-2) took care of business against Zalgiris Kaunas (0-9) 95-82 (20-11, 31-24, 24-25, 20-12) to leave the Lithuanian powerhouse still without wins in 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Vincent Poirier Points 12 Accuracy 3-3 Rebounds 4 Assists 2

After the close third period, Real kicked into the higher gear in the last 10 minutes.

Fabien Causeur hit a two-pointer, Adam Hanga scored a trey, and Rudy Fernandez added a lay-up and Real created the 13-point lead (93-80) with 3:08 to play. That was enough for the convincing victory.

Real started the game with an 8-0 run and finished the first quarter, arranging the 6-0 spurt (20-11).

In the second period, the Royal club gained a solid 15-point advantage (47-32) but Zalgiris did not raise the white flag and answered with an 8-0 push (40-47). Lukas Lekavicius scored 8 points in a row.

Both squads went into the break with Real being in front by 6 points (51-45).

Guerschon Yabusele was a top scorer for the Royal club, registering 15 points (7/10 2PT, 0/1 3PT, 1/2 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 drawn fouls, and 21 PIR.

"It was a really a tough game. They came here and played really strong. They made a lot of threes. We had to come back and make some stops, and score on offense, and just try to win the game. I don't focus on my personal performances, I just try to help the team win the games, and that's all that matters to me," commented Yabusele post-game.

"I think our defense is giving us consistency. I think we got the advantage in the first quarter playing really good defense, and we closed the game playing defense at the end. During the game, we did not play that well. We were not concentrated, and they were hitting good shots, they were moving the ball," said Pablo Laso.

3-pointers this season

34%8,6Points made:8,6Accuracy:33,9%Place in standings:7Record max:13Record min:6Most made 3FGs:Janis StrelnieksTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"They have a lot of quality, good players, and if you let them play, they are able to create situations. We got to be ready, talking about the best or worst team in this league is not easy. Anyone can beat anyone, and you have to be ready to play hard every night," finished Real's head coach.

Lukas Lekavicius posted the first double-double in his EuroLeague career with 12 points (5/8 2PT, 0/2 3PT, 2/2 FT), 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 drawn fouls, and 17 PIR.

"The whole time I had a feeling we can upset them, but in the crucial moments, we were again not concentrated. We made stupidity on offense, we rushed, and they punished us. And we lost again," briefly spoke Jure Zdovc.

Real: Guerschon Yabusele 15 (6 REB), Sergio Llull 13 (4 AST), Vincent Poirier 12 (4 REB, 23 PIR), Thomas Heurtel 12 (5 AST), Rudy Fernandez 10 (4 AST), Adam Hanga 10 (5 REB), Walter Tavares 10 (6 REB).

Zalgiris: Tyler Cavanaugh 14 (4 REB), Lukas Lekavicius 12 (10 AST), Niels Giffey 12, Marek Blazevic 10 (4 REB).

Highlights

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