The house was packed, sold-out, with a lot of enthusiasm. Olimpia did whatever it could against the unbeaten Real Madrid who won its game number 18 of 18 official games. The consolation was to force Real Madrid to the win with the slightest margin in Euroleague competition, 78-71, just seven points although the margin was reduced by the only David Moss’s basket, from three, at the end. Real won the game in the first half, maybe in the second quarter when he makes from three in all the critical moments. Olimpia never gave up, tried to comeback but it couldn’t threat Real’s win especially with Langford and Moss combining for 11 points.

THE FIRST HALF – The first three belong to Jerrells but Real scored repeatedly from the arc with Fernandez and then twice with Darden to go up 9-5. Olimpia respond with aggressiveness. Wallace makes a three and Langford a great mid-range jumper for a 6-0 run and the lead 11-9. Real erases the lead with a Mirotic jumper and the control the game. Olimpia keeps up in spite of bad shooting percentages. Chiotti and Melli off the bench give the team some energy. Melli scores five consecutive points including a buzzer-beater three for the 19-23 that closes the first quarter. Chiotti scores on great hook shot to open the second. And he also have a steal. A Jerrells reverse lay-up on a drive is unlucky and Real on the break is phenomenal. Carroll and Ferandez score from three and in a matter of seconds it’s 21-31 and time-out Olimpia. The shooting show from Real Keeps going, Rodriguez scores twice, first on a mid-range jumper then on a three and open a 19-point lead, 42-23. Melli tries to shake the team, he dunks and makes a block on a Carroll long jumper. Gentile produces something driving and Wallace does the same. At the intermission it’s 48-34 Real.

 

THE SECOND HALD – Olimpia fights defensively, slowing the tempo down. It can’t come back because offensively the team lacks consistency and misses even a dunk with a Lawal. Real is not brilliant as it was in the first half so it involves the big center Mejiri in the offense especially when Chiotti is on the court and the size difference is clear. The lead grows up at 18 again, 60-42. Gentile inspires a 4-0 run with a steal and dunk and then an assist for Chiotti. But at the end of the third is 63-46 Real thanks to another three by Rudy Fernandez. In the fourth, Gentile leads Olimpia within 13 points (50-63) but Fernandez  is frustrating with another three-point play. Lawal scores again for the 13 point margin looking like a barrier until Gentile on a drive pushes Olimpia  within 11 points with three minutes left. Olimpia have two possessions to get closer but Jerrells and Gentile miss, Mirotic from the line makes two and the game is over although Olimpia doesn’t stop fighting through the end.