Madrid get the better of direct rival in playoff fight

Real Madrid delivered another blistering display of offensive firepower to overcome EA7 Emporio Armani Milan at the Movistar Arena, where they’ve won their last four games on the bounce. It’s a big win in the first of four cup finals over the next 15 days, as the fight for a place in the EuroLeague playoffs goes to the wire. Today’s success is double, given it moves the madridistas clear of the Italian outfit, and level with Paris Basketball and Barcelona following defeats for both teams today, leaving our boys just one win off sixth place. Musa (21 points and 21 PIR) and Tavares (19, 7 rebounds and 27 PIR) were the standout performers, as Campazzo also played well on his return (11 and 19). Next up, another key clash in Belgrade, against KK Crvena Zvezda in 48 hours’ time.

Tonight was one of those big European nights, and the Movistar Arena could sense it. There was an ovation for former madridista Causeur on his return, while Madrid had the crowd on their feet from minute one. Chus Mateo's boys started the game where they left off last Sunday against Unicaja. Having hit 39 points in the last quarter there, today's opening period totalled 31. Directed by Campazzo, they showed off all their offensive prowess, with the unstoppable Garuba and Tavares (8 points each inside 7 minutes) spearheading a solid team display. So much so that they almost doubled Milan's score, if only a Feliz triple from his own half went in the wrong side of the buzzer (31-16, min. 10).

Madrid withstand the visitors' reaction 
The Italians improved in the second quarter, increasing their accuracy from the three-point line, their greatest weapon. Inside, the presence of Caruso and Shields and Dimitrijevic's penetrations brought them back into contention. Madrid responded well though, as the extraordinary Musa (9 of his 12 points in the quarter), Llull and a sweet spell by Bruno Fernando helped maintain a comfortable lead, which stood at 13 points at the break thanks to another trademark Llull triple on the buzzer to top off a fine first half (54-41). The captain became the fourth-highest three-point scorer in EuroLeague history.

Leday and Mirotic, who had been well shackled in the first half, came to the fore for their team after the break, working their way back into the game inside five minutes, and thanks to a series of free-throws. Sloppiness in the madridistas' passing lines gifted some easy baskets to the opposition, who moved to within five points at 66-61 with 26 minutes played. It was a key moment, which is precisely when Madrid's winning mentality tends to shine through. The rediscovered their intensity at the back and some impressive Campazzo moves swiftly saw them back in control. The Argentine added points (11) to his assists (7), leading a 12-2 run alongside Hezonja to snuff out the visitors offensive and race to their largest lead at the end of quarter three (78-63).

Sound victory 
With Musa and Tavares managing the offense in what was another impressive display by the duo (the first with 21 points and 4/6 on triples; and the second with 19 and 8/8 on two-point field goals), the team displayed their superiority on the rebound (41 to their opponent's 25) to keep the gap above 10 points until the final two minutes. The Cape Verde center sunk a basket from an offensive rebound with four seconds to go, clinching a ten-point lead for Madrid and a superior basket average between the two teams, but swiftly saw that advantage cut with the visiting team's triple to make it a 96-89 win.

REAL MADRID-EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILAN STATISTICS