By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
Everyone expected a fight, but in the end, it was an easy job for Real Madrid at home.
The Spanish team beats Monaco (90-78) to secure its sixth win in a row in the Euroleague and, for the moment, remains alone in the second spot of the standings with a 16-8 record, leaving Monaco one step behind at 15-9.
To be exact, Hapoel Tel Aviv remains at the top with a 16-6 record, while Fenerbahçe, with a 15-7 record and two games fewer, is near the “Whites”, followed by Olympiacos and Barcelona at 15-8.
Trey Lyles (20 p.) and Facundo Campazzo (17 p.) were Madrid’s top scorers, while David Krämer and Gabriele Procida did not play.
For the losing side, Mike James (15 p.) and former Madrid player Nikola Mirotic (15 p.) were the top scorers.
Madrid started the game with a quick 23-9 run. Monaco tried to react in the second quarter, but Scariolo’s team had everything under control at the break, leading by 24 (54-31).
Monaco shot really well from beyond the arc in the third quarter, but Lyles and Campazzo stepped up to secure the Spanish win, keeping the distance at 18 points (71-53) at the end of the third.
Monaco trimmed the lead to nine (75-66), but that was the best they could do. Still, the number that stood out and made Monaco coach Vassilis Spanoulis complain was the 35 free throws attempted by Real Madrid, compared to 10 for his team.