By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid went from a solid defensive effort in the first half to effective long-range shooting after the break and secured the win, 75-73, over AX Armani Exchange Milan.
After missing Regular Season Round 15, Guerschon Yabusele went for 15 points along with six rebounds. He made 6/8 field goals sinking 2/3 from beyond the arc in the Round 16 fixture.
“We expected at halftime Milan coming back and playing strong. They played well, but we had to stay strong and finish the game,” he summed up his team’s effort, “It was all mental. We had to stay focused when we had the game and not lose control and we won the game.”
Fellow French Fabien Causeur poured a team-high 17 points behind 2/3 two-pointers and 4/6 three-pointers at Mediolanum Forum. He put up 12 of his points in the second half.
“I had a good shooting night. When I scored my first two shots, I got the confidence and I was feeling good. It’s a gym that I love, I love the atmosphere in Milan,” said Causeur, “It was an amazing game tonight, and we are super happy that we won.”
“I was happy that the game was over,” he added, “The last five minutes we did not control the game well. We had an opportunity to kill it before, but we missed too many free throws and Milan put some pressure on us, they hit some big shots to come back. A lot of credit to them, but we are happy to go back home with a win.”
Sergio Llull chipped in 12 points, including a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter and shift the momentum back in favor of the team coached by Chus Mateo. Head coach Pablo Laso recently tested positive for coronavirus. Thomas Heurtel also returned a positive test during the two-game EuroLeague week. Trey Thompkins, Alberto Abalde, and Carlos Alocen remained sidelined due to injuries.
“It was a very tough game. I said before the game it will be a long game, and it was, until the last shot,” said Laso’s assistant, “We knew it would be like this, we expected Milan’s reaction after halftime, and we reacted very good after they reacted.”
Malcolm Delaney narrowly missing a three-pointer at the buzzer sealed it for the Spanish team. The experienced guard rebounded the ball after Devon Hall intentionally fell short from the free-throw line but could not connect from the corner.
Shavon Shields recorded a game-high 18 points for the team coached by Ettore Messina, former boss of the Whites. Sergio Rodriguez, a former player of Madrid, got ten points, five assists, and three rebounds. Injured Konstantinos Mitoglou and suspended Riccardo Moraschini remained out.
“We won three quarters of this game, but a very disgraceful second quarter cost us the game,” noted Messina, “We will keep working and we will be better.”
The losing outlet fell to 10-6 with its second defeat at home. Aiming for a 12-0 start in Italy’s LBA Serie A, Olimpia Milano will visit Allianz Trieste and resume EuroLeague action at Zalgiris Kaunas Wednesday.
The visiting side improved to 13-3 with its fifth win on the road. Before hosting CSKA Moscow Thursday, a visit at UCAM Murcia looking to go up to 13-1 in Spain’s ACB Sunday.