Published on March 12, 2026 at 09:58 PM by driblio.net
Date
2026-03-12
Venue
MOVISTAR ARENA
Round
Round 31
Attendance
0
Real Madrid delivered a comprehensive performance at the Movistar Arena, defeating Valencia Basket 96-79 in Round 31 of the EuroLeague season. The victory showcased the hosts' ability to control the tempo from start to finish, with contributions across the roster helping secure a 17-point triumph that never truly felt in doubt after halftime.
The game began with both teams feeling each other out, but Real Madrid quickly established their presence. The opening quarter saw the Spanish capital side edge ahead 20-19, setting the tone for what would become an increasingly dominant display. Mario Hezonja opened the scoring with an early three-pointer assisted by Facundo Campazzo, and from that moment, Los Blancos never looked back.
The second period proved crucial as Real Madrid began to pull away from their Spanish rivals. Outscoring Valencia 31-24 in the quarter, the home side headed into halftime with a 51-43 advantage. The momentum shift was palpable, with Real Madrid's offensive rhythm clicking into gear while their defensive intensity increased.
Trey Lyles provided valuable minutes off the bench during this stretch, converting key opportunities and helping stretch Valencia's defense. The visitors struggled to find consistent answers, with their shooting percentages dipping as Real Madrid's defensive pressure intensified. Jean Montero tried to keep Valencia competitive, contributing 11 points in the first half, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide.
Mario Hezonja emerged as the game's standout performer, finishing with 16 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. The Croatian forward's ability to space the floor and knock down crucial three-pointers kept Valencia's defense stretched throughout the contest. His efficiency rating of 19 led all players, demonstrating his all-around contribution to the victory.
Gabriel Deck proved to be another vital component of Real Madrid's success, adding 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting while pulling down six rebounds. The Argentine forward's versatility was on full display, hitting two three-pointers while also attacking the basket effectively. His ability to play both inside and outside created mismatches that Valencia simply couldn't solve.
Real Madrid truly seized control in the third quarter, extending their lead to double digits and never allowing Valencia back into contention. The hosts outscored the visitors 24-22 in the period, maintaining their cushion while demonstrating their defensive prowess. Walter Tavares was particularly effective during this stretch, using his size advantage to control the paint and alter Valencia's shot attempts.
Alberto Abalde knocked down a crucial three-pointer early in the quarter, assisted by Tavares, which energized the home crowd and deflated Valencia's hopes of mounting a comeback. The Cape Verdean center finished with eight points and nine rebounds, along with three blocks that disrupted Valencia's interior offense at key moments.
Facundo Campazzo's court vision and playmaking were instrumental in Real Madrid's success, as the diminutive Argentine point guard dished out nine assists while adding nine points of his own. His ability to find open teammates and create scoring opportunities kept Valencia's defense constantly rotating and second-guessing their assignments.
Campazzo's three made three-pointers, including a dagger in the fourth quarter, showcased his ability to hurt opponents both as a passer and scorer. Despite committing three turnovers, his overall impact on the game was undeniably positive, as evidenced by his efficiency rating of 11.
Valencia Basket fought valiantly but never found the offensive rhythm necessary to seriously threaten Real Madrid's lead. Jean Montero led the visitors with 18 points and five assists, displaying flashes of brilliance with his shot-making ability. The Dominican guard shot 6-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, but lacked sufficient support from his teammates.
Josep Puerto added 11 points for Valencia, shooting an efficient 5-of-10 from the field, while Omari Moore contributed eight points and four assists. However, the visitors' bench production couldn't match Real Madrid's depth, and their defensive lapses in crucial moments allowed the hosts to maintain comfortable separation.
The final period saw Real Madrid cruise to victory, outscoring Valencia 21-14 to complete the comprehensive victory. Sergio Llull provided valuable minutes off the bench, adding six points and three assists while helping maintain the team's offensive flow. His experience and basketball IQ were evident as he helped navigate the closing stages without allowing Valencia any hope of a late rally.
Trey Lyles finished with 12 points for Real Madrid, including two crucial three-pointers that kept Valencia at arm's length whenever they threatened to make the game interesting. His versatility as a stretch forward who can score from multiple levels proved invaluable in keeping the defense honest.
Real Madrid's defensive performance deserves special recognition, as they limited Valencia to just 79 points while forcing multiple turnovers throughout the contest. The combination of Tavares' rim protection, Campazzo's on-ball pressure, and the team's collective defensive rotations created significant problems for Valencia's offensive schemes.
Neal Sako provided solid minutes for Valencia with six points and six rebounds, along with three blocks that demonstrated his defensive capabilities. However, the visitors' inability to consistently score in the paint against Real Madrid's interior defense proved costly.
This victory represents an important statement for Real Madrid as they continue their EuroLeague campaign. The balanced scoring attack, with six players reaching six or more points, demonstrates the depth and versatility of their roster. The ability to control the game from start to finish while never allowing Valencia to establish any meaningful momentum is a testament to the team's maturity and execution.
For Valencia, the loss highlights areas that need improvement, particularly their ability to generate consistent offense against elite defensive teams. While Montero showed promising signs, they'll need more balanced scoring and better defensive execution to compete with the league's top teams. The 17-point defeat serves as a learning experience as they prepare for their upcoming challenges in the competition.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JEAN MONTERO | VBC | 18 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | MARIO HEZONJA | RMB | 16 | 4 | 2 |
| 3 | GABRIEL DECK | RMB | 14 | 6 | 1 |
| 4 | TREY LYLES | RMB | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| 5 | JOSEP PUERTO | VBC | 11 | 2 | 0 |
Real Madrid defeated Virtus Bologna 92-84 at home in EuroLeague Round 30. Despite Carsen Edwards' game-high 32 points for Bologna, Madrid's balanced attack led by Mario Hezonja's 19 points and Walter Tavares' 14 points plus five blocks proved decisive. The victory continues Madrid's strong home form.
Published on March 5, 2026 at 09:45 PM by driblio.net
Valencia Basket defeated Zalgiris Kaunas 91-87 in a closely contested EuroLeague matchup at ROIG ARENA. Valencia built a 50-39 halftime lead behind a dominant first-half performance, then withstood a spirited second-half comeback from the Lithuanian visitors. Omari Moore led Valencia with 16 points, while Moses Wright paced Zalgiris with 20 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort.
Published on March 5, 2026 at 09:33 PM by driblio.net
Real Madrid dominated FC Bayern Munich 93-70 at home in Round 29, led by Mario Hezonja's 16 points and Trey Lyles' 12 off the bench. The Spanish side controlled the game from start to finish, building a massive halftime lead. Justinian Jessup scored 17 for Bayern in a losing effort.
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