Cazoo Baskonia closed the year with a standout victory, sealing a win over Real Madrid (92-86) on the 16th Euroleague match day. Held at the Fernando Buesa Arena on Thursday, the Basque side extended its remarkable December run to eleven straight wins, signaling a surge in form that has put them near the top of the standings.
Beyond the steady contributions of Rokas Giedraitis, who finished with 21 points, Markus Howard delivered a game defining performance with 28 points, helping Baskonia counter a stubborn Real Madrid effort. Joan Peñarroya’s squad rode the momentum of six straight European wins (11/5) and added five more victories in the Endesa League, positioning themselves firmly in the Top 4 fight as the year closed.
The mood at the end of the year was satisfying for Baskonia, especially after defeating a Real Madrid team that headed into the final days of 2022 at the peak of the table but fell just short in a midgame sequence. Madrid will look ahead to the Clasico clash against Barcelona in the league at Wizink Center on January 2, a reminder of the intense, season-long rivalry that fuels both teams.
In the opening minutes at Buesa Arena, each team unveiled its principal weapons. Baskonia showcased their scoring prowess with Giedraitis delivering nine points and Howard hitting two timely triples, while Real Madrid leaned on the interior efficiency of Edy Tavares to lead the first quarter with two baskets and a strong presence underneath the boards (24-28).
Yet Baskonia did not relent. Howard stood out again in the second period, delivering a 35-15 surge that showcased his scoring versatility and the team’s cohesive offensive execution. By halftime, the American guard had tallied 21 points and connected on 5 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc, stretching the advantage as Baskonia entered the locker room with a commanding 59-43 lead while the defense pressured Madrid into hurried moments and miscommunications.
Coming out of halftime, Real Madrid responded with a renewed edge. They cut into the deficit thanks to a more aggressive approach, with Tavares contributing key rebounds and finishes to drive the offense. The white squad briefly tightened the gap to five points, signaling a potential shift in momentum as the third quarter progressed. Baskonia answered with another push, and Howard, along with his teammates, managed to steady the ship, maintaining a comfortable cushion around the 73-69 mark late in the third period.
The final quarter settled into a steadier rhythm, characterized by solid defensive resistance from both teams and a slower scoring pace. Gabriel Deck stepped up for Real Madrid, scoring 17 points and posing a threat to close the gap, but Baskonia answered with timely outside shooting and disciplined defense to prevent Madrid from mounting a comeback. The home crowd at Vitoria left the arena confident about the team’s direction for the remainder of the season as Baskonia solidified its position in the playoff race.
DATA SHEET
-RESULT: CAZOO BASKONIA 92 – REAL MADRID 86 (59-43 at halftime).
-TEAMS
CAZOO BASKONIA: Darius Thompson (1), Markus Howard (28), Rokas Giedraitis (21), Dani Díez (0) and Kotsar (0) –from five–; Hommes (12), Henry (10), Costello (12), Sedekerskis (2), Marinkovic (3), Kurucs (0) and Enoch (2).
REAL MADRID: Sergio Rodríguez (4), Moses Brown (6), Alberto Abalde (0), Cornelie (9) and Edy Tavares (15) –top five– Llull (0), Deck (17), Yabusele (5), Poirier (2), Williams-Goss (16), Causeur (7) and Hezonja (5).
-PARCELS: 24-28, 35-15, 14-26, 19-17.
— REFEREES: Radovic, Foudis and Peerandi. Costello was charged with a foul.
-PAVILLION: Fernando Buesa Arena.