Published on November 20, 2025 at 09:45 PM by driblio.net
Date
2025-11-20
Venue
Round
Round 12
Attendance
9152
In one of the most dramatic finishes of the EuroLeague season, Real Madrid edged past Zalgiris Kaunas 100-99 in a Round 12 thriller that kept the 9,152 fans at WiZink Center on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. The victory was crucial for Real Madrid, who had dropped three of their last four games and desperately needed a win to steady their campaign.
The game showcased everything that makes EuroLeague basketball compelling: stellar individual performances, tactical adjustments, momentum swings, and clutch execution down the stretch. What appeared to be a comfortable Real Madrid advantage through three quarters transformed into a nail-biting fourth-quarter shootout that could have gone either way.
Real Madrid established their intent early, racing to a 22-16 lead after the first quarter. The home side's energy and defensive intensity were evident as they controlled the paint and moved the ball efficiently. Trey Lyles was particularly effective in the opening period, using his combination of size and skill to attack the basket and create opportunities.
The second quarter saw both teams settle into a rhythm, with each side scoring 21 points. Facundo Campazzo began to assert himself for Real Madrid, orchestrating the offense with his trademark creativity and drawing fouls with his aggressive drives to the basket. The Argentine guard's ability to control tempo and make plays for himself and others proved invaluable throughout the contest.
Heading into halftime with a 43-37 advantage, Real Madrid appeared to be in control, but warning signs were emerging. Sylvain Francisco was beginning to find his range for Zalgiris, and the Lithuanian side was generating good looks from beyond the arc. The stage was set for a competitive second half.
The third quarter belonged to Zalgiris Kaunas, who outscored Real Madrid 25-19 to cut the deficit to just five points entering the final period. Francisco continued his offensive clinic, knocking down long-range shots and facilitating for his teammates. His combination of shooting and playmaking kept Real Madrid's defense honest and prevented them from loading up on any single option.
Azuolas Tubelis also came alive for Zalgiris in the third quarter, using his versatility to score both inside and outside. The Lithuanian forward's perfect shooting performance from two-point range (6-of-6) was a testament to his efficiency and shot selection. His ability to finish around the basket and draw fouls put constant pressure on Real Madrid's interior defense.
Real Madrid's offense became more stagnant during this period, with Gabriel Deck struggling to find his shot and the team's ball movement grinding to a halt at times. The home side needed someone to step up and weather the Zalgiris storm, setting up a dramatic final quarter.
The fourth quarter was absolute basketball theater, with both teams trading baskets in a furious display of offensive firepower. Real Madrid scored 38 points in the period, but Zalgiris matched them with 37 of their own in a quarter that featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings.
Theo Maledon emerged as Real Madrid's savior off the bench, delivering a virtuoso performance that included 25 points on 7-of-8 shooting from two-point range and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line. The French guard attacked the basket relentlessly, drawing fouls and converting at the stripe with ice-cold composure. His efficiency rating of 34 was the highest of any player on the court, reflecting his complete dominance when he was in the game.
Francisco continued his magnificent performance for Zalgiris, finishing with a game-high 33 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including an impressive 7-of-9 from three-point range. The French guard also contributed 11 assists, orchestrating Zalgiris's offense with precision and creativity. His plus-minus of +9 despite the loss illustrated just how effective he was when on the court.
Facundo Campazzo proved why he's one of Europe's premier point guards, finishing with 20 points and showcasing his ability to perform in pressure situations. While he struggled from three-point range, going just 0-for-1, Campazzo was deadly from inside the arc and from the free-throw line. His 8-of-10 performance from the charity stripe included crucial makes down the stretch that helped Real Madrid maintain their slim advantage.
The Argentine's four assists and zero turnovers reflected his smart decision-making in a high-pressure environment. His ability to draw seven fouls demonstrated his craftiness in creating contact and getting to the line when his team needed points most. In the closing minutes, Campazzo's composure with the ball was essential to Real Madrid's survival.
The game ultimately came down to bench production, where Real Madrid held a significant advantage. While Zalgiris relied heavily on their starters, Real Madrid received crucial contributions from their second unit. Andres Feliz provided energy and defense with four steals in just under 16 minutes, while his plus-minus of +9 showed his positive impact on the game.
For Zalgiris, Dustin Sleva tried to provide a spark off the bench with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three three-pointers. However, his minus-7 rating suggested that Real Madrid outscored Zalgiris during his minutes. Moses Wright added 11 points but also posted a minus-11, indicating that Real Madrid's runs often came when he was on the floor.
Walter Tavares provided Real Madrid with his usual dominant presence in the paint, recording a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds while adding three blocks. The towering Cape Verdean center altered numerous shots beyond his block total and made life difficult for Zalgiris around the rim. His four offensive rebounds led to crucial second-chance opportunities for Real Madrid.
Tubelis countered with an efficient 19-point, five-rebound performance for Zalgiris, but the Lithuanian forward couldn't quite match Tavares's overall impact on the game. His perfect shooting from two-point range kept Zalgiris in contention, but Real Madrid's ability to control the glass ultimately proved decisive. Laurynas Birutis provided solid minutes off the bench for Zalgiris with four points and three rebounds in limited playing time.
One of the defining aspects of the game was the three-point shooting battle. Zalgiris connected on 11-of-28 attempts from beyond the arc (39.3%), with Francisco leading the way with his seven made threes. Real Madrid, by contrast, struggled from long range, making just 2-of-9 attempts (22.2%). This nine-point swing from three-point range nearly cost Real Madrid the game.
However, Real Madrid compensated by dominating inside the arc, shooting 31-of-54 (57.4%) on two-point attempts compared to Zalgiris's 22-of-31 (71.0%). The key difference came at the free-throw line, where Real Madrid attempted 40 free throws compared to Zalgiris's 23. The home side's ability to draw fouls and convert 32-of-40 attempts (80.0%) provided the crucial margin of victory.
Neither team could claim defensive dominance in this high-scoring affair. Real Madrid allowed 99 points, continuing a troubling trend of defensive inconsistency that has plagued their recent performances. The inability to contain Francisco's hot shooting and Tubelis's efficient scoring around the basket raised questions about their defensive schemes and execution.
For Zalgiris, the loss was particularly painful given their strong fourth-quarter performance. Edgaras Ulanovas provided veteran steadiness with eight points and drew four fouls, but the team needed more offensive production from players like Deividas Sirvydis, who went scoreless in nearly 20 minutes of action. Maodo Lo struggled from the field as well, going 0-for-3 from three-point range and scoring just one point despite playing over 20 minutes.
The game's closing moments featured several crucial possessions that determined the outcome. With the score tight and time winding down, both teams had opportunities to seize control. Real Madrid's experience in close games showed through as they executed their offensive sets and got to the free-throw line when they needed to most.
Lyles finished with 21 points and five rebounds for Real Madrid, providing a consistent scoring threat throughout the game. His 8-of-13 shooting and perfect 4-of-4 performance from the line demonstrated his efficiency in crucial moments. His ability to score from multiple levels kept Zalgiris's defense off balance and opened up opportunities for his teammates.
Zalgiris's final possession resulted in a good look but couldn't convert, allowing Real Madrid to escape with the one-point victory. The loss extended Zalgiris's difficult road stretch, having now lost three of their last four games after a strong October.
This victory was essential for Real Madrid as they try to climb the EuroLeague standings and regain the form that saw them defeat Barcelona earlier in the season. The contributions from Maledon and Campazzo provide reason for optimism, but defensive concerns remain. The team will need to find more consistency on that end of the floor to compete with the elite teams in the competition.
For Zalgiris, the narrow defeat was disappointing but showed their ability to compete with one of Europe's traditional powerhouses. Francisco's breakout performance and Tubelis's continued development provide positive signs for the Lithuanian club. However, they'll need more balanced scoring and better contributions from their bench to turn close losses into victories. The margin between success and failure in EuroLeague is razor-thin, and Zalgiris proved they belong in these tight contests even if the final result didn't go their way.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SYLVAIN FRANCISCO | ZAL | 33 | 3 | 11 |
| 2 | THEO MALEDON | RMB | 25 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | TREY LYLES | RMB | 21 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | FACUNDO CAMPAZZO | RMB | 20 | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | AZUOLAS TUBELIS | ZAL | 19 | 5 | 1 |
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