Sergio Llull put together an impressive performance in Tel Aviv, going for 18 points and 6 assists in just 22 minutes.
Llull overpowered Maccabi, again
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2 Mins read
Real Madrid had the best version of Sergio Llull in Game 3 of its playoff series against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. After having a so-so performance in the opener - he was held scoreless in 12 minutes, Llull scored 17 points in 19 minutes, including 5-of-9 shooting from behind the arc, in Game 2.
In the third and final game of the series, Llull remained as hot as if he played in Madrid. He stepped on the court when his team trailed 14-13 right before Scottie Wilbekin had drilled a couple of threes. Llull provided 2 points and 3 assists in less than 4 minutes to help Real regain the lead, 22-25, at the end of the first quarter, and kept rocking after that.
He added 7 more points in the second quarter that pushed the visitors' lead to double-digits at halftime, 41-51, but he was even more crucial when Maccabi felt stronger late in the third. The hosts had reduced the margin to just 57-62 but couldn’t go further because Llull took over first with a couple of buckets, then a 4-point play in the last 4 seconds of the quarter that restored a safe margin for his team, 61-73.
“We are really happy to reach one of our goals at the beginning of the season”, Llull said after the game. “The atmosphere was just crazy, it’s amazing to play basketball in this arena. I think we did a great job on offense and on defense. Everybody was really concentrated so we are really happy.”