Leaders beat Olympiacos at WiZink Center fortress

The rematch of the last EuroLeague final in Kaunas proved to be another fierce battle between Real Madrid and Olympiacos. That day an incredible basket by Llull pulled off the miraculous comeback. Today, the leaders were far superior in the first half, with leads of up to 24 points, but their opponents rallied in the final quarter and forced Madrid to go all out in the final stretch to claim victory number 20. It is also the 11th time at the WiZink Center, where the Whites remain undefeated in their third best start to a season. Campazzo (21 in PIR), Musa (19), Hezonja (17), Poirier (15) and Deck (12), were the standout performers for the leaders, who continue to hold firm after 23 games.

The clash between the European champions and runners-up saw the leaders start in dominant mood. They produced a sensational first quarter to the rhythm set by Campazzo. The point guard performed magnificently, orchestrating the play. He unsettled a great defender in Walkup and led the team brilliantly. He finished this quarter with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 17 in PIR. He wasn't the only one who shone, it was the whole team, in defence and in attack. They gave no concessions in defence, limiting Olympiacos to 13 points, as the Whites showed that they boast the best attack on the continent. Not even the competition's best defence could stop them. Madrid delivered an offensive showcase, with all the players contributing (Abalde 8, Deck 6, Poirier 5 and 4 rebounds, and Musa 5) and outstanding three-point shooting (5/6), to put them up 30-13 in the first 10 minutes.

Madrid set fast pace
The home side continued their impressive showing in the second quarter, although the Greeks improved, spearheaded by the impressive Sikma (10 points). The hosts followed suit through their strength as a team, which has seen them become the runaway leaders in the EuroLeague and the Liga Endesa, as well as winning the Super Cup. Madrid were without Tavares, Llull and Yabusele (Olympiacos were also missing Fall, Milutinov and Williams-Goos), but the boundless quality of Hezonja (7 points), the spirit of Rudy, the magic of Sergio Rodríguez and Musa who, with a final burst, put the madridistas up 24 points on several occasions to go into the break with a 52-30 lead.

Musa fired away from the three-point line and Campazzo fed Poirier balls that would end in dunks and lift the WiZink Center, Madrid sustained a lead of more than 20 points for much of the third quarter. But Olympiacos showed that competitive spirit that also characterises them. They capitalised on a moment of weakness and, thanks to three-pointers from Peters and Papanikolau, and the efforts of Sikma, they managed to reduce the deficit, which never exceeded 13 thanks to Deck's riposte in the final stretch of the half (68-55).

Madrid have to dig deep to win
There was still plenty to play for, especially with Olympiacos up against them. Mitrou-Long brought the visitors even closer with 68-61 going into the final quarter. But Madrid were not about to throw their hard work away. The Greeks pressed hard thanks to their rebounding performance and their ability to find Madrid's hoop with greater ease. Madrid, bereft of the drive of the first half, found Causeur, Rudy and Hezonja to stem the opposition's backlash. The Whites again built up a lead of more than 10 points but Papanikolau was hell-bent on keeping his team in the game. With a four-point lead, a Poirier block and two baskets from Musa seemed to set Madrid on course for victory with just over a minute to go at 86-78. During this time, a tug-of-war pushed Olympiacos back to within three points. But Campazzo, Madrid's standout performer, sealed the win with a layup and two free throws (90-85, min.40). Sergio Rodríguez became the EuroLeague player with the third most appearances in 393 games, surpassing Jankunas.

REAL MADRID-OLYMPIACOS STATISTICS