Real's huge European effort has no reward
05-05-2021
Real's missing out on the Final Four should not mist the White's extraordinary quarter finals series agains Anadolu Efes. Laso's squad fought until the very last second the fifth game against the Turkish team but the luck was on the locals' side this time.
Defense over offense on both squads since the beginning, with Singleton and Alocén as top performers on each side. Real took advantage of Efes dubious game by mid first period and finished the first 10 minutes with a slight advantage (18-21).
The second period was no different and both teams showed much respect for their opponent, scoring mostly from the distance. The score by halftime was 36-41 for the visitors.
But coming off the locker room a better version from Efes showed up: Micic and a great Singleton (26 points, 38 PIR at the end of the game) lead the locals to a 21-4 run (57-45, min 25:30). Real was again rowing upstream but the Whites have the heart of a warrior: two threes from Thompkins, 4 points from Llull and a great Tavares carried the visitors to the end of the quarter (60-57, min 30).
Real's first minutes in the last stanza gave them the lead again but it was the time for Larkin to appear, scoreless yet. It was life or death for both teams then, exchange of baskets on both sides until a very deep three from Simon with only 40 seconds left was getting the Turkish a 3 point advantage that would proof to be lethal.
Attaman's team pulls a very tight and tough series with an 88-83 win over a brave Real Madrid.
Defense over offense on both squads since the beginning, with Singleton and Alocén as top performers on each side. Real took advantage of Efes dubious game by mid first period and finished the first 10 minutes with a slight advantage (18-21).
The second period was no different and both teams showed much respect for their opponent, scoring mostly from the distance. The score by halftime was 36-41 for the visitors.
But coming off the locker room a better version from Efes showed up: Micic and a great Singleton (26 points, 38 PIR at the end of the game) lead the locals to a 21-4 run (57-45, min 25:30). Real was again rowing upstream but the Whites have the heart of a warrior: two threes from Thompkins, 4 points from Llull and a great Tavares carried the visitors to the end of the quarter (60-57, min 30).
Real's first minutes in the last stanza gave them the lead again but it was the time for Larkin to appear, scoreless yet. It was life or death for both teams then, exchange of baskets on both sides until a very deep three from Simon with only 40 seconds left was getting the Turkish a 3 point advantage that would proof to be lethal.
Attaman's team pulls a very tight and tough series with an 88-83 win over a brave Real Madrid.
