Real Madrid-Asvel: Whites aiming for another win to edge closer to playoffs
Chus Mateo's boys are in action this evening at the Movistar Arena in the first of the five finals remaining in the Regular Season (8.45 pm CET).
There are five games to go until the end of the Regular Season and with up to nine teams separated by two wins, Real Madrid host Asvel Villeurbanne this evening with the aim of securing a win to stay in the fight for a place in the EuroLeague playoffs. The Whites will be looking to remain unbeaten at the Movistar Arena in the remaining three fixtures (with Milan and Paris Basketball still to visit) if they are to achieve their objective.
Chus Mateo’s charges are currently in 12th place (15-14), level with Anadolu Efes and Partizan, who occupy the last play-in spot. One win ahead of Crvena zvezda, Paris Basketball, Milan and Barcelona, the latter in sixth place. And two above Monaco and Bayern. Not forgetting Zalgiris, who are one defeat ahead of Madrid. Madrid go into the clash on a high after wins in Bologna (67-80) and against Baskonia in the league on Sunday (83-78). A win would move them up the table, considering the direct encounters in this round of games.
Asvel are the only team outside the playoff zone or play-in zone that Real Madrid will face in the last five games. The French outfit are 15th and have virtually no chance of qualifying (11-18). However, they are a physically demanding team, possessing an aggressive defence and sharp three-point shooting. They also boast players like De Colo and Maledon who can mark the difference. Lauvergne is their focal point on the inside. In the first game, they defeated the Madridistas by a narrow 80-78 scoreline.
Strong home form
The sheer depth of the Madridista squad should be a decisive factor in securing victory, along with their superiority in rebounding, where they rank as the best team in the EuroLeague (36.7 per game). Campazzo (18.8), Tavares (15.3), Hezonja (15), Musa (12.2) and Deck (10.2) – who returned from injury against Baskonia and is a big boost for the final stretch – are all averaging double digits in PIR. Most importantly, the driving force is the home support of the fans. The Whites have racked up 7 straight wins at the Movistar Arena between the league and the EuroLeague. Madrid dominate the head-to-head meetings between the two teams in this competition (11-2).