EuroLeague: Real Madrid Holds Strong Without Tavares, Takes Game 1 Against Hapoel Tel Aviv (86-82) [1-0]

MADRID. Real Madrid opened their EuroLeague playoff series with a victory, defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv 86-82 at the Movistar Arena. The white team lost Walter Tavares to injury early on, but managed to recover and dominate much of the game to take a 1-0 lead in a best-of-five series.

box score

The game started with the worst possible scenario for Real Madrid. Just three minutes in, Walter Tavares fell awkwardly while battling for a rebound, injured his left knee, and left the court unable to put weight on it normally. The Cape Verdean center did not return, forcing Sergio Scariolo to redraw his game plan from the start.

Despite the blow, Real Madrid reacted with character. Facundo Campazzo took control of the offense and set the pace of the game, while the home defense grew stronger as the minutes passed. Additionally, Hapoel Tel Aviv also suffered an important setback with the exit of Elijah Bryant, who attempted to return but was ruled out before halftime.

With better control of tempo and improved ball movement, Real Madrid began to pull away. Campazzo led the whites with 21 points, well supported by Trey Lyles, who contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds, plus Mario Hezonja with 11 and Gabriel Deck with 10. The Madrid team reached a 15-point advantage before halftime and maintained control in the third quarter.

At the start of the final period came the home team's largest lead, a +18 that seemed to have settled the game. However, Hapoel Tel Aviv did not give up and found answers in the talent of Antonio Blakeney, the game's leading scorer with 25 points. The shooting guard chained two consecutive three-pointers to cut the deficit to just four points and apply pressure down the stretch.

Dan Oturu also shined, very dominant in the paint taking advantage of Tavares' absence, delivering an outstanding performance of 20 points, 17 rebounds, and a 38 rating. Vasilije Micic contributed 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Chris Jones added 14 points and 8 assists to keep the Israeli team alive.

The game also saw tension on the visiting bench, with Dimitris Itoudis ejected after receiving two technical fouls during Hapoel's comeback. Still, Real Madrid kept their composure in the final possessions. Blakeney missed an important three-pointer, Ish Wainright also failed from beyond the arc, and a last forced action by Chris Jones did not change the outcome.

With this victory, Real Madrid takes the series advantage in the EuroLeague playoffs and protects home-court advantage in a series that already begins with uncertainty about Walter Tavares' physical condition. Hapoel Tel Aviv showed competitive character and made clear that the series promises maximum intensity.