After suffering elimination last week, Zalgiris (14-19) will aim to go out on a high note and delight its loyal legion of fans with a visit from reigning champ and regular season standings leader Real (26-7).
Game Notes: Zalgiris vs. Madrid
The Lithuanian champion has won three in a row at home and has beaten Real in Kaunas in each of the last two seasons. Los Blancos prevailed in Madrid in October, 93-79, led by 18 points and 9 assists from Facu Campazzo, and is looking to bounce back before the playoffs after losing at home to Baskonia last week. Campazzo faces an entertaining backcourt duel with Zalgiris leader Keenan Evans, who has scored at least 14 points in nine straight games but could only manage 8 in October's meeting.
- Since the turn of the century, Zalgiris and Real Madrid have met 29 times with Real having won 24 times. The home team has won six straight games.
- When Zalgiris trounced Real 68-47 in Kaunas in February 2022, it held Real to its fewest points ever in a EuroLeague game.
- The only time Zalgiris beat Real in Madrid this century was 86-93 in the regular-season finale in the 2018-19 season. Zalgiris not only booked a return to the playoffs with that win but it also snapped an 11-game losing streak against Real and got first Zalgiris's win in the Spanish capital in almost two decades.
- Real Madrid and Zalgiris faced each other in the 1989-90 Cup Winners' Cup semifinals. In the two-game total-points series, Real downed Zalgiris 93-80 in Game 1. Even though Zalgiris won Game 2 in Kaunas 89-77, Real won the series on point difference, 170-169.
- Zalgiris's single-game club record for scoring by a player is 36 points, which Justin Dentmon set against Real Madrid on April 11, 2014. He also tied the club record with 7 three-pointers in that game.
- The EuroLeague single-game record for free throws made by a player without a miss is 18, which Nikola Mirotic set with Real against Zalgiris in March 2013.
- Real guard Fabien Causeur played under current Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri at Brose Bamberg during the 2016-17 season.
- Zalgiris center Kevarrius Hayes and Real forward Guerschon Yabusele were teammates at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne during the 2020-21 season.
- Real swingman Rudy Fernandez delivered a career-best 9 assists against Zalgiris in October 2013.
- Real point guard Sergio Rodriguez tied his career-high with 6 three-pointers made while playing for CSKA Moscow against Zalgiris in November 2018.
- Real swingman Mario Hezonja grabbed a career-high 4 steals for FC Barcelona against Zalgiris in January 2015.
- Real guard Carlos Alocen dished a career-high 6 assists against Zalgiris in December 2021.