Alba Berlin-Real Madrid: looking for a third successive EuroLeague win
Chus Mateo's boys head to the German outfit for their last game of the year in the competition (7:00pm CET).
Real Madrid are set to face Alba Berlin at home this afternoon as they close out the year in the EuroLeague (7:00pm CET). Our boys begin the second round of the competition with the aim of clinching a third consecutive win, following last week's successes against Paris Basketball and Monaco.
Chus Mateo's team will be hoping to extend their positive spell and continue to climb the table. Over their last two EuroLeague games, they’ve averaged 95 points and played some superb defensive basketball. This has been the bedrock over the team’s recent clashes, conceding very few points in the first three quarters (47 to Monaco, 49 to Río Breogán, 52 to Unicaja, 56 to Valencia Basket and 67 to Paris Basketball).
Alba Berlin currently sit in last place, with 3 wins, but they are still a dangerous opponent. The Germans boast characteristics that make life tough for anyone: serious speed, short possessions, strong on the offensive rebound and capable of racking up points. Their weakness lies at the back, where they concede an average of 91.4 points. Procida, Thomas and former madridista Spagnolo are their key men in offense, while Wetzell and McCormack will have to take on more responsibility with Williams having departed for Maccabi.
Potential records
In the first half of the season, Madrid enjoyed a convincing 98-84 win, with some great defense in the second half. As they did back then, our team will have to make their strength inside count. Tavares and Ibaka dominated the paint (37 PIR between them). In fact, the Cape Verde center could become Madrid's top rebounder in the EuroLeague this evening – he’s just two away from eclipsing Felipe Reyes. Llull, who did not play in Valencia, is one game away from equalling Hines as the player with the most games in the competition.
Undefeated
Real Madrid has won all 17 of their EuroLeague matches against the German team. Our boys have won eight away games against Alba Berlin, the last time coming in the past campaign, a 79-86 victory, with 22 points and 28 PIR for Hezonja. Chus Mateo's team will be keen to log another EuroLeague win ahead of Sunday's league derby at the WiZink Center.