Real Madrid dominated Hapoel Tel Aviv in EuroLeague action to secure a 2-0 series lead, becoming part of an unprecedented feat since 2008-09: four teams—Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, and Panathinaikos—hold commanding 2-0 advantages in their playoff series, one win away from the Final Four.
Friday, May 1
Real Madrid 102-75 Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv
Real Madrid asserted their dominance at home to secure a 2-0 series lead against Hapoel Tel Aviv with a convincing 102-75 victory. The game started evenly matched, with neither team able to pull away until a 9-0 run allowed the hosts to close the first quarter with a slight edge (24-21).
The Israeli squad responded in the second quarter, elevating their defensive intensity and executing an 8-0 run that gave them a halftime lead (40-42). However, Real Madrid's response came swiftly after the break. Led by Facundo Campazzo, the Madrid-based team unleashed a dominant 13-2 run in the third quarter that shifted momentum back in their favor.
From that point forward, Real Madrid controlled the game and extended their advantage to 73-62 with ten minutes remaining. In the fourth quarter, back-to-back three-pointers from Campazzo, followed by another successful three from Trey Lyles, put the game out of reach (83-67), allowing the hosts to cruise through the final stretch.
Campazzo was the standout performer with 23 points (9 of 12 from the field) and 6 assists, orchestrating the team's offense throughout. Usman Garuba, ably filling in for the absent Walter Tavares, delivered a well-rounded performance with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Theo Maledon also contributed 13 points, while Andres Feliz and Mario Hezonja each added 11.
For Hapoel Tel Aviv, Dan Oturu led the way with 19 points, setting a two-point scoring record for the season in the process. Elijah Bryant added 11 points and Chris Jones contributed 10, though the visiting team never managed to sustain the competitive pace of their opponent.
Thursday, April 30
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 86-74 Zalgiris Kaunas
Fenerbahce took another decisive step toward the Final Four with a second consecutive victory over Zalgiris Kaunas (86-74) to secure a 2-0 series lead. The Turkish squad dominated from start to finish, buoyed by the experience of Nicolo Melli, who delivered 17 points and 4 rebounds in a high-level performance.
Nando De Colo contributed 16 points with excellent three-point shooting (4 of 5 from deep), while Tarik Biberovic added 15. Mikael Jantunen (13 points) and Wade Baldwin (11) rounded out a solid all-around effort from the home team.
Fenerbahce's dominance was particularly evident on the boards (37-24), with 17 offensive rebounds, along with their perimeter accuracy (13 of 27 from three). In contrast, Zalgiris found no answers against the relentless defensive pressure, shooting a modest 5 of 23 from long range.
Moses Wright led the Lithuanians with 16 points, while Sylvain Francisco scored 11 in a difficult night marked by constant pressure from the opposing defense.
Olympiacos Piraeus 94-64 AS Monaco
Olympiacos confirmed their home-court strength by extending their winning streak at home to 13 games with a dominant 94-64 victory over AS Monaco, also securing a 2-0 series lead.
The Greek squad started with great intensity, with Thomas Walkup hitting back-to-back three-pointers to establish an early 8-2 lead. The contest evolved into an exchange of outside shots in the first quarter, where Sasha Vezenkov shone with 13 points to close the opening period at 28-23.
The turning point came in the second quarter, when Olympiacos' bench unit made a statement with 26 points off the bench, fueling a devastating 31-8 run that left the score at 59-31 at halftime. A double technical foul before the break resulted in Mike James' ejection, further complicating Monaco's prospects.
After a more measured third quarter, the team coached by Georgios Bartzokas closed out the game with authority in the final period. Vezenkov was the leading scorer with 21 points, followed by Evan Fournier with 16, in a game where nine local players scored at least 5 points. Kevarrius Hayes was Monaco's standout performer with 11.
Valencia Basket 105-107 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens
In one of the season's most thrilling contests, Panathinaikos secured a dramatic overtime victory on the road against Valencia Basket (105-107, OT) to travel to Athens with a 2-0 series advantage.
The game started with a high-scoring pace, with the first quarter closing at a tight 23-24. The momentum continued in the second period, with both teams shooting efficiently, allowing Panathinaikos to take a slim halftime lead (48-49).
The back-and-forth battle continued after the break, with constant lead changes. A buzzer-beating three-pointer by Juancho Hernangómez allowed the Greeks to enter the fourth quarter with an advantage (71-74).
Panathinaikos appeared to break the game open early in the final quarter when Cedi Osman connected on back-to-back three-pointers to cap a 15-0 run (71-80). However, Valencia responded with character and forced overtime after a missed final possession by Kendrick Nunn.
In the extra period, the score remained tight until the final possession, where Nigel Hayes-Davis took responsibility and hit a mid-range shot that decided the game. The small forward was the most decisive player with 27 points and an impressive 5 of 9 from three-point range.
Kendrick Nunn added 19 points, Osman recorded 16 points and 8 rebounds, and TJ Shorts contributed 10 points and 6 assists. For Valencia, Jean Montero led the scoring with 21 points, followed by Sergio De Larrea (18), Brancou Badio (15), and Kam Taylor (12 points and 7 rebounds).