Real Madrid can be happy with its defensive and rebounding performances in the season opener on the road, though its offense against Panathinaikos Athens showed there is still work to do.
Telling numbers: Real’s defense, rebounding stood strong
Статистика
3 Минутное чтение
Real held Panathinaikos to just 37.5% shooting on two-pointers and 32.1% from long range in a 68-71 win in Athens. Led by Walter Tavares (6 rebounds and 4 blocks) and Gabriel Deck (13 rebounds), the Spanish powerhouse took the battle of the glass 49-34, leading to an 11-6 advantage in second-chance points.
Real’s offense did not shine as brightly though, committing 19 turnovers, which turned into a 17-9 gap on points off turnovers for Panathinaikos, which also took the fast break points category 15-9.<br> One saving grace for Real - and an aggravating problem for Panathinaikos - was the Greens missing 10 of 21 free throws for a nightmare 52.4% from the charity stripe, “led” by Derrick Williams’s 5-of-10 performance.