The Madrid team suffered a significant collapse in Istanbul against Anadolu Efes, with a disappointing final quarter that led to a 79-73 defeat. Despite having a strong start, Madrid’s performance deteriorated, particularly in the last 10 minutes, where they only managed to score 12 points, all of which were scored by Mario Hezonja. Hezonja finished the game with 18 points, but the rest of the team failed to contribute any points, leading to a surprising loss.
Anadolu Efes, on the other hand, capitalized on Madrid’s weaknesses, with Elijah Bryant delivering an impressive performance, scoring 21 points and providing the necessary energy to his team. The final quarter saw Anadolu Efes outscoring Madrid 23-12, with Hezonja’s 12 points being the only notable contribution from the Madrid team.
The game started with Madrid winning the first quarter 25-17, but Anadolu Efes fought back, and the score was tied at 38-38 by halftime. Madrid’s second unit, including Llull, Garuba, Hugo González, and Tavares, played a crucial role in the team’s temporary resurgence. However, the collapse in the final quarter ultimately led to their defeat.
The loss is a significant setback for Madrid, who aspire to win the Euroleague title. The team’s inability to perform consistently throughout the game, particularly in the final quarter, raises concerns about their chances in the competition. The injury to Dzanan Musa, who damaged his ankle during the game, is another worry for the team, especially with the upcoming Copa del Rey and the match against Fenerbahce next Thursday.
The technical details of the game show that Anadolu Efes had a more balanced performance, with several players contributing to the team’s score. In contrast, Madrid relied heavily on Hezonja’s performance, which was not enough to secure a win. The referees for the game were Tomislav Hordov, Gytis Vilius, and Maxime Boubert.
Overall, the defeat is a wake-up call for Madrid, highlighting the need for the team to work on their consistency and performance, particularly in critical moments of the game. The injury to Musa adds to the team’s concerns, and they will need to assess the scope and extent of the injury to determine the best course of action.
Technical Details
79 – ANADOLU EFES (25+13+18+23): Bryant (21), Darius Thompson (12), Nwora (6), Osmani (5), Poirier (15) – initial five-, Dozier Jr. (8), Oturu (4), Beaubois (5), Sms (3), Yilmaz (-) and Ozdemiroglu (-).
73- Real Madrid (17+21+23+12): Campazzo (5), Abalde (10), Hezonja (18), Musa (-), Bruno Fernando (11) – initial five-, Hugo González (11), Tavares (6), Garuba (-), Happy (5), Llull (5) and Dennis Smith Jr. (2).
Referees: Tomislav Hordov (Cro), Gytis Vilius (Lit) and Maxime Boubert (FR).