Real Madrid opened the night more subdued than usual, trading energy for patience as they faced Bilbao. The Basque visitors jumped ahead early, pressing the pace and piling up shots, while Real Madrid took a few minutes to find their rhythm. The scoreboard stayed tight until the 12th minute, when Eli Ndiaye and Alberto Abalde finally sparked the home side, lifting the energy of the team and the crowd as Madrid pulled ahead to an 86-65 victory. The early minutes felt like a chess match, with both teams feeling out the opponent before Madrid found their stride.
In Game Four, played eight days after the previous clash, the atmosphere was electric from the opening tip. Real Madrid started slowly, not scoring for the first few possessions and briefly falling behind. Turnovers and missed shots plagued the opening period, and the first quarter ended with an 11-15 deficit. Bilbao presented a sharp outside threat, converting on several triples and showing fight, though one stretch in particular left them overzealous and a bit careless with ball handling.
How a student of the game would put it: the hosts started slow but began to move with intent. Madrid leaned on Ndiaye, whose pace and aggression set the tone, while Abalde found rhythm from the perimeter and added pressure in transition. His early success opened space for teammates and allowed the team to stagger their shots with better timing. When the ball moved quickly, Madrid looked in sync, and a sequence of three-pointers so early in the second quarter provided the spark that shifted the momentum.
There were moments of levity on the screens nearby as fans reflected on the spectacle and shouted their reactions into the arena. On social media, fans captured the energy with posts from the league and supporters nearby, underscoring the atmosphere of the night.
The second quarter belonged to Madrid. Ndiaye injected energy and tempo, pushing the squad to play with renewed purpose. Abalde connected from outside, and with the defense tightening, Madrid rewired their approach. A decisive 11-0 run began just after the 13-minute mark, turning a close game into a comfortable lead. The sequence from 13:18 to 24:18 showcased a mix of fast breaks, timely rebounds, and precise ball movement that left Bilbao chasing the pace. By halftime, Madrid sat ahead 38-28, a stretch that reflected better decision-making and sharper execution.
Bilbao, missing Walter, found it harder to sustain their earlier momentum. As the second period progressed, their offense looked more one-dimensional, leaning on outside shooting that failed to convert consistently. The end of the half saw Madrid taking advantage of Bilbao’s adjustments, with the Basque team battling through a rebound disadvantage and a final push that left them at 25-15 on the boards for the segment. Tavares rested as the team rotated, and Abalde and Ndiaye continued to contribute in varied ways.
Abalde finished with eight points on a night he used his teammates effectively, while Ndiaye reached ten points and helped anchor the offense alongside Gabriel Deck, who joined in with six points early in the second half. The scoreboard reflected Madrid’s growing control, even as fans reminded themselves that the game length would test every inch of endurance in the long season ahead.
The narrative in the stands shifted with a different tone as the Basques sought to reinsert themselves into the game, and the play-by-play reflected a battle of wills rather than simple point accumulation. A memorable exchange on the court showed the Madrid bench rallying behind the core group as the ball found its way into hands ready to create opportunities. The crowd responded with the kind of energy that turns a routine matchup into a showcase of tactical nuance and competitive spirit.
Sergio Rodríguez, known for his leadership and experience, expanded the scoring differential with a run that gave Madrid a 60-39 advantage late in the third period. The third quarter closed with a clear margin as Madrid controlled much of the pace and cut off Bilbao’s potential runs. By the time the final frame began, Real Madrid was comfortable with the scoreline and allowed reserves to get meaningful minutes, a common strategy in a season-long schedule where depth becomes a distinguishing factor.
In the last period, Madrid managed the clock and controlled the tempo. Bilbao did not present a credible threat to swing the result, and Madrid played through the finish with poise. Dzanan Musa, who spent limited minutes earlier, watched from the bench as the game was effectively decided, while Tavares remained a stabilizing presence in the paint.
Data sheet
Real Madrid 86: Williams-Goss 3, Causeur 16, Hezonja 8, Poirier 4, Cornelie 7, Rudy Fernández 0, Abalde 14, Hanga 6, Sergio Rodríguez 8, Deck 6, Ndiaye 14, Moses 0. Their contributions formed a balanced scoring effort with multiple players contributing across the game.
Bilbao 65: Reyes 10, Alonso 8, Hakanson 4, Sulejmanovic 9, Kyser 10, Smith 4, Radicevic 5, Ubal 5, Rabaseda 0, Rosa 3, Tsalmpouris 7. The visitors battled hard throughout and showed flashes of efficiency in the early quarters, but Madrid’s depth and execution proved decisive.
Referees: Martín Caballero, Francisco Araña and David Sánchez. The match, part of the twenty-second round of the Endesa League regular season, drew a strong crowd at the Palacio de los Deportes in Madrid, with attendance noted in reports from the league.
Marking the moment in the league’s calendar, this game highlighted the strength and consistency of Real Madrid as they navigated through the season’s early demands. The team displayed resilience, shared scoring across their rotation, and maintained a steady defensive posture that limited Bilbao’s opportunities and allowed Madrid to expand their lead as the game wore on. The win reinforced Madrid’s status as a formidable force in the league and offered a preview of how the squad adapts to different opponents as the schedule tightens. [ACBCOM]