Madrid's strange victory against Maccabi: 106 points but "few boasts"

The match between Real Madrid and Maccabi at WiZink was anything but ordinary. Despite the lack of fireworks, it turned into an offensive spectacle with both teams scoring at will. Real Madrid emerged victorious with 106 points, maintaining their unbeaten record at home in Europe and securing their position as leaders of the Euroleague. The game saw a total of 207 points, but it was not a night to be cherished or remembered.

Both teams seemed fatigued, perhaps due to the demanding January schedule. Lorenzo Brown, in particular, struggled with his shooting throughout the game. Real Madrid, despite missing key players like Llull and Tavares, never trailed behind on the scoreboard. However, the outcome of the game remained uncertain until the final stages. The standout performer of the night was Wade Baldwin, who scored an impressive 28 points.

Real Madrid was aware of their current form, which was not at its peak due to fatigue and illness. Coach Chus Mateo acknowledged that a downturn was inevitable. However, the team remained focused on the future and believed that better days were ahead. The start of the game was promising, with Yabusele and Hezonja making their presence felt. Vincent Poirier was instrumental in the team’s success, but Maccabi, known for their resilience, kept the pressure on.

As the game progressed, Real Madrid seemed to lose their edge. Lorenzo Brown’s struggles were compensated by his passing ability, but the team lacked the finishing touch. Maccabi capitalized on this and closed the gap, narrowing the margin to just one point. Hezonja and Chacho provided some stability with their three-pointers, but Real Madrid had conceded 55 points in the second and third quarters. Sergio Rodríguez, ever the joyful presence, injected some energy into the team, leading them to a comfortable lead. However, their inconsistency allowed Maccabi to stage a comeback, resulting in a nail-biting finish.

In the end, Real Madrid secured the victory, but it was not a performance to be proud of. Coach Chus Mateo admitted that the team lacked energy and there was room for improvement. With little time to rest, the team was already preparing for their next challenge against Asvel on Thursday.