Real Madrid edges Hapoel Tel Aviv in Euroleague series opener

Antonio Blakeney and Dan Oturu tried to keep the contest close, but without Elijah Bryant, who left the game with an injury, the Reds headed into halftime down 48-33. Real continued to maintain a comfortable lead and it seemed like the game was out of reach. But Hapoel woke up late in the game with a pair of clutch three-pointers from Ish Wainright and Blakeney to cut the deficit to just four points.

However, as time wound down the Reds succumbed to the pressure and missed a number of attempts to tie up the game, ultimately leaving the court in Madrid with a loss. Campazzo scored 21 points, Lyles added 13 points and Hezonja scored 11 points for Real in the win while Blakeney scored 25 points, Oturu chipped in with 20 points and 17 rebounds as Vasilije Micic scored 15 points in the defeat. Tel Aviv coach Dimitris Itoudis spoke after the game.

“I congratulate Real Madrid on their first win. Our main problem was the first quarter, in which we allowed 27 points, this significantly hurt us going forward. We tried to stop their fast transition game, but in the end, their control of the offensive rebounds was what decided the game.

I’m proud of the players for the way we played and won the second half. ” Maccabi Tel Aviv downed Elitzur Netanya Meanwhile, in local action, Maccabi Tel Aviv downed Elitzur Netanya 102-92 as the duo of Jimmy Clark and Jaylen Hoard were able to help the yellow-and-blue make a late game comeback to secure the victory. Hoard, Clark, Lonnie Walker and Roman Sorkin all scored with ease early on for Maccabi Tel Aviv but Maurice Kemp, Cameron Oliver and Otis Frazier rallied Netanya to grab a 48-43 advantage at halftime.