By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos OPAP had no answer for Walter Tavares, and the Real Madrid team as a whole, as the Spaniards logged a rather comfortable 88-65 home win in EuroLeague Round 4.
Tavares banked in 17 points on a perfect 5-5 from the field, as well as 7-7 from the charity stripe, while also grabbing nine rebounds, making two blocks and stealing the ball twice.
“We are feeling great. I think we have a lot of room to improve. We know from last year and a couple of years ago, that the EuroLeague is super hard to play. We have to guarantee wins at home, and that is the key for us to go to the Final Four,” Tavare said.
Alberto Abalde, who finished with 16 points, was the one pushing Real Madrid early on to a 35-18 lead in the second quarter from which Panathinaikos couldn’t recover until the end. The Greeks couldn’t get past the eight-point margin (47-39) and were completely outplayed in the final period as well.
Daryl Macon Jr scored 18 for the losing side with Georgios Papagiannis adding 12 and Kendrick Perry ten points.
Real Madrid improved to a 3-1 record while Panathinaikos went the opposite route and currently holds a 1-3.
Coach Pablo Laso was quite satisfied with the double-week performance of his team but is already looking forward to the upcoming challenges in the Spanish league and EuroLeague.
“I think the balance [from the double-week] is very positive. We got two victories, difficult victories, because the beginning of the season is always hard. We played aganst two very physical teams but were able to keep our composure. We had good moments, bad moments, but we were able to keep our composure in both games, and got both victories,” also said and added.
“So let’s say I am happy for the results of the week, thinking that we have an ACB game on Sunday, and that we will have to be ready next week against a great rival like Fenerbahce. The EuroLeague continues, I am happy for this week, for these victories, and I enjoy seeing my players at the level that they showed this week.”