Dominant Tavares guides Real to a convincing victory over Panathinaikos / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix

Real Madrid (3-1) welcomed Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (1-3) in Spain, dominating in the first period and beating the green and whites 88-65 (30-18, 12-12, 20-20, 26-15).

Player of the Game EFF 31 Walter Tavares Points 17 Accuracy 5-5 Rebounds 9 Assists 0

Real kicked the match off with a commanding 14-3 advantage led by Walter Tavares, never allowing Panathinaikos to mount a comeback. Real won the first quarter by 12 (30-18) and held on to the lead for the remainder of the contest.

The closest PAO came within the hosts was eight points when Okaro White hit a long-range bomb (39-47). Two straight threes by Rudy Fernandez and four free throws by Tavares gave Real their largest advantage of the game at 23 (82-59).

The Royal Club increased their advantage even more down the stretch, winning by 23.

Real coach Pablo Laso was extremely happy with this week in the EuroLeague: "I think the balance [from the double-week] is very positive. We got two victories, difficult victories because the beginning of the season is always hard. I enjoy seeing my players at the level that they showed this week."

Walter Tavares was a beast for Real, finishing the game with 17 points (5/5 2PT, 7/7 FT), 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, and 31 PIR.

"We are feeling great," Tavares said post-game. "I think we have a lot of room to improve. We know from last year and a couple of years ago that the EuroLeague is super hard to play. We have to guarantee wins at home, and that is the key for us to go to the Final Four."

Kendrick Perry was solid for Panathinaikos, ending with 10 points (0/4 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 4/4 FT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 16 PIR.

Real: Walter Tavares 17 (9 REB), Alberto Abalde 16, Guerschon Yabusele 14 (7 REB), Vincent Poirier 10 (7 REB), Fabien Causeur 8.

Panathinaikos: Daryl Macon Jr. 18, Georgios Papagiannis 12 (6 REB), Kendrick Perry 10 (5 REB, 5 AST), Ioannis Papapetrou 7, Okaro White 6.

Highlights

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