Real Madrid beat Hapoel 92-83 in a EuroLeague match played behind closed doors for security reasons. Mario Hezonja shone with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Facundo Campazzo and a solid defense were key to the win. Sergio Scariolo's team thus improves its chances of finishing in the top four of the regular season.
Real Madrid extended its good form after the league win at Palau Blaugrana last Sunday and crushed Hapoel 92-83 at Palacio de Deportes, though with empty stands due to security measures for hosting an Israeli team. The game, with a 45-35 halftime score, saw the whites extend their lead to 18 points in the third quarter (63-45), featuring highlights like a block by Edy Tavares, a three-pointer by Mario Hezonja and another by Álex Abalde, plus steals by Campazzo. In the final period, with an 84-62 score, Hapoel's coach Ergin Ataman rotated players amid his team's biggest EuroLeague loss this season, allowing a late comeback in the score, though Real Madrid holds the tiebreaker after also winning the first leg. Hezonja led with 15 points and 10 rebounds, Campazzo contributed 10 early points directing the second unit, and Maledon was omnipresent. Sergio Scariolo praised the defensive effort that neutralized rivals like Micic and Elijah Bryant. This win bolsters Madrid's position in the race for the top four spots in the regular season's final stretch.
