Real Madrid extended their lead in the Endesa League by securing a 62-82 victory away at Palacio de los Deportes, a win that keeps them atop the standings for another day. Covirán Granada faced a tough day, slipping to eight consecutive defeats.
The White squad started the game with uneven rhythm and carried that inconsistency into the opening stages of the second half. Midway through the third quarter, Granada briefly climbed ahead on the scoreboard, only for Real Madrid to respond with renewed energy on offense and pull away as the match progressed.
Covirán Granada drew even early, with a 9-6 push at the four minute mark, as the home crowd flooded the arena with excitement and the local energy was palpable. The success came despite a strong initial surge from Christian Díaz and his teammates.
Dominant play from Real Madrid was evident in both halves as Edy Tavares contributed eight points and four rebounds in the opening period, helping Real Madrid move ahead. The visitors built an advantage through the first quarters and entered matters with a 9-15 scoreline by the ninth minute. A controversial unsportsmanlike foul by rookie Michael Caicedo stirred the crowd in Granada, who did not take the call well as Sergio Lull and the Whites adjusted under pressure. The first quarter closed with Real Madrid ahead 14-19 after a cold shooting spell for the home team.
Granada struggled to capitalize on offensive opportunities while Real Madrid dominated the boards, a trend that continued as the teams returned to the floor. After the restart, Granada could not shake off the visitors, and Real Madrid pressed ahead to a 15-20 scoreline by the fourteenth minute of the second period. Rudy Fernandez delivered a timely triple after a timeout from Chus Mateo, yet the White attack remained inconsistent, producing a sequence of five players who struggled for rhythm in the opening half. By halftime Real Madrid led 24-32 with the cushion still modest but clear in their favor.
The second half began with a 7-0 burst that briefly put Granada in a precarious spot, yet the locals reclaimed momentum early and traded baskets as both teams searched for rhythm. Granada briefly led at 35-34 around the twenty-fourth minute before Real Madrid’s offense began to function more decisively. Real Madrid collected 22 offensive rebounds on the night, a sign of persistent pursuit and hustle that kept them in control. The French guard Fabian was a spark off the bench, lifting the home defense and forcing Real Madrid to respond with a renewed attack in the following minutes. After a balanced first half, Real Madrid fashioned a more efficient approach and stretched the advantage as the game wore on.
With the score moving in their favor, Real Madrid extended the lead and controlled the pace of the game. Granada showed signs of fatigue as the clock winded down, and a late surge from the visitors could not erase the growing gap. The scoreboard reflected a decisive finish as Real Madrid moved into the final period with a comfortable cushion and ultimately secured the win without significant drama. The match featured several late substitutions and a release of key players as the coaching staff managed minutes and found productive rotations. A last-minute departure from Dzanan Musa left Granada with limited time to mount a comeback, and Real Madrid maintained their advantage to the final whistle.
Data sheet:
Coviran Granada 62 points: Renfroe 17, Christian Díaz 11, Bropleh 5, Moore 2, Niang 12, Costa 2, Tomás 5, Vilá 0, Caicedo 3, Jacobo Diaz 3, Iriarte 2, Martin 0.
Real Madrid 82 points: Causeur 8, Abalde 0, Hanga 2, Yabusele 6, Tavares 17, Rudy Fernández 6, Hezonja 4, Sergio Rodríguez 4, Poirier 2, Cornelie 1, Llull 12, Moses 20.
Referees: Daniel Hierrezuelo, Sergio Manuel, and Rubén Sánchez. The match reflected the 16th day of the Endesa League and was played before 8,020 spectators at the Palacio de los Deportes in Granada. The venue was filled to capacity and the atmosphere was electric as both teams battled for control.