Real Madrid snapped a seven-game winning streak with a commanding 73-101 road victory over Joventut Badalona, never letting the hosts settle into a rhythm from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
Dzanan Musa stood out by contributing 15 points, four assists, and a 21-efficiency rating, anchoring Madrid’s attack throughout the night and directing the tempo on both ends of the floor.
Chus Mateo’s squad began with urgency, striking early with three quick baskets as Edy Tavares, Alberto Abalde, and Musa set the tone for Real Madrid (0-6, 3 minutes in).
Joventut responded with energy, yet Madrid answered with precision from beyond the arc, building a steady cushion as Mario Hezonja helped spark the early push (3-12, 5 minutes).
After a defensive stretch from the hosts, Joventut found more efficiency, but Madrid kept the momentum, with Musa dictating the pace and pressing the score higher (12-22, 8 minutes).
Three free throws after Abalde was fouled allowed Joventut to trim the deficit to single digits, 18-26, as the first quarter closed with Real Madrid ahead and in command.
In the second period, Real Madrid remained aggressive from three-point range, expanding the lead. Sergio Llull’s triple pushed the Whites to 21-37, prompting a timeout for Joventut (14 minutes).
Yannick Kraag fueled a 5-0 Joventut burst before Mateo steadied the ship (27-41, 17 minutes). Rudy Fernández answered with back-to-back threes, widening the gap to 32-50 heading into the final minute of the half.
Hezonja, a standout for the visitors, carried his team through the second quarter, though his night ended amid controversy after a second technical foul led to his disqualification in the tunnel area at halftime.
Resuming play, Joventut opened the second half with five straight points, including three free throws and a bucket by Andrews. Tyler Cook energized the Badalona crowd, but Musa answered with a three to preserve Madrid’s lead at 40-56 (22 minutes).
Real Madrid continued to pressure from the perimeter, extending the advantage as Causeur joined the scoring parade and produced a quick burst to push the margin to 42-67 early in the third period.
Joventut pressed on, converting counterattacks and easier looks, but Madrid neutralized each push with timely responses. Facundo Campazzo and Moses kept the cushion intact, showing 46-75 at the 28-minute mark.
La Penya found a flicker of life, warming up the offense with better ball movement, even as Vladimir Brodziansky and Kenny Chery tried to spark a late surge. The third stanza ended with Madrid ahead, 55-79.
The final quarter became a one-sided showcase as Madrid ratcheted up its three-point shooting. The lead ballooned to 60-90 by minute 34, leaving Joventut chasing a deficit that grew too large to erase.
Madrid maintained relentless aggression and continued to knock down long-range shots, sealing the win with a convincing margin that left Joventut unable to recover from the early deficit.
In the end, Real Madrid controlled the game’s tempo, dictated the pace, and earned a confident road victory behind balanced scoring and sturdy defense that proved decisive in the standings.
– Data sheet:
73. Joventut Badalona (18+17+20+18): Feliz (10), Andrews (11), Busquets (3), Ruzic (5), Tomic (10) -in the top five-; Kraag (8), Rodríguez (3), Cook (8), Chery (4), Ribas (8) and Brodziansky (3).
101.Real Madrid (26+27+26+22): Campazzo (8), Musa (15), Abalde (7), Hezonja (14), Tavares (6) -in the top five-; González (4), Alocén (11), Llull (3), Ndiaye (9), Causeur (5), Fernández (9) and Poirier (10).
referees: Luis Miguel Castillo, Sergio Manuel and Raúl Zamorano. Hezonja was disqualified for two technical fouls during the game.
Events: The match, part of the 15th round of the Endesa Basketball League, drew 11,104 spectators at the Palau Municipal d’Esports in Badalona. (Citation: Endesa Basketball League game report)