By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Darussafaka stepped into uncharted territory in the first playoff against Real Madrid yet despite staying strong in the first half, eventually surrendered, as the hosts prevailed 83-75. Sergio Llull sealed the victory for the hosts and was the leading scorer with 23 points.
The first quarter belonged to David Blatt’s team, that made a partial 2-10 run to enjoy a 16-24 lead from early on. As Will Clyburn made the score 21-30, Real had ground to cover. An outbreak by Othello Hunter and Llull helped the hosts reduce the deficit to one point at halftime, 36-37.
After the break, the momentum seemed to have been shifted towards the Spanish team’s favour. With Gustavo Ayon (14 pts), Real enjoyed a 46-41 lead midway through the second period, while also managed to retain this brief head before entering the final period with 61-53.
Jaycee Carroll (6 pts) made it a 10-point game for the first time in the game in the Whites’ favour, 68-58 at 33′, then Darussafaka approached to 6 points again with 3 minutes remaining. Brad Wanamaker (21 pts) trimmed to 4 points (76-72) with 1:35 to go, but Llull was there to save the day for Pablo Laso’s team.