Real Madrid routs Bamberg

Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 record in Group B of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with a dominating 98-58 victory at home over Brose Baskets Bamberg. Madrid allowed just 7 points in the first quarter and never let up, increasing the lead to as many as 45 points. Sergio Llull paced four Madrid players in double figures with 16 points. Felipe Reyes added 13 points, Nikola Mirotic collected 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks and Jaycee Carroll added 11 points off the bench. Five more Real players scored at least 7 points, including Sergio Rodriguez with 8 points and 6 assists. Bamberg never found any rhythm, shooting just 33 percent from the field for the game. Jamar Smith made 3 three-pointers in the fourth quarter and led Bamberg in scoring with 11 points while Casey Jacobsen had 10 points. Damir Markota came off the bench for 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists for Bamberg, which dropped to 1-1 in the group.

First quarter: Mirotic and Llull combine for all 18 Madrid points

Both coaches used the same starting lineups as in Week One with Bamberg’s Chris Fleming putting out Zack Wright, Anton Gavel, Jacobsen, Sharrod Ford and Maik Zirbes. And Real’s Pablo Laso started with Llull, Rudy Fernandez, Tremmell Darden, Mirotic and Ioannis Bourousis. Both teams started cold and Llull scored the first points with two of three foul shots after two minutes of action. Jacobsen gave Bamberg its first points with a driving layup after 3:20 minutes played. Mirotic answered right back with a triple and then Llull converted a three-point play, resulting in an 8-2 Madrid lead and a Bamberg timeout. Madrid worked and found space for Mirotic to again hit from long range to increase the advantage 12-2. Jacobsen finally scored again for the guests with a long ball to make it 12-5 with four minutes left in the first quarter. Mirotic’s offensive rebound put back was matched by Markota’s put back to keep Bamberg within 14-7. Mirotic and Llull both added a basket and the hosts led 18-7 after one quarter while Bamberg made just 3 of 15 shots from the field with six turnovers.

Second quarter: Madrid bench extends the lead, Bamberg offensive struggles continue

Markota opened the second quarter for the guests but Madrid used its bench as Carroll knocked down a triple and Reyes increased the margin to 23-9. After a Fernandez break-away dunk, reserve center Salah Mejri made two baskets and Madrid was up 29-11, resulting in another Bamberg timeout. Two scores by Markota and Zirbes trimmed the deficit to 30-15 only to see Real answer with triples by Rodriguez and Llull. And two Reyes free throws gave Madrid a 21-point lead, 38-17. Zirbes hit inside again and Karsten Tadda came on for two free throws to get it back to 38-21. But Llull nailed a long jumper and Bourousis had a put-back as Madrid went into the break ahead 42-21. Bamberg made just 8 of 34 shots in the first half.

Third quarter: Darden, Draper combine for 15 points as Madrid pull away even further

Gavel scored his first points of the game to open the second half but Llull continued his superb evening with a triple and an assist for a Fernandez dunk for a 47-23 Madrid lead and an early Bamberg timeout. The timeout didn’t help much as the guests continued to struggle offensively and Fernandez drained a triple and Dontaye Draper swiped a steal and put in a lay-up for a 52-23 Real advantage. John Goldsberry gave Bamberg fans a rare highlight with a triple only to see Draper nail a long ball and Mirotic put back another offensive rebound for a 33-point cushion, 59-26. Jacobsen remained one of the few productive Bamberg players with a triple only to see Draper once again come up with a steal and layup with Darden’s two foul shots making it 63-29. Madrid increased its advantage to 35 points with Bourousis’ score to make it 67-32. Darden scored four more points to help Madrid go into the fourth quarter ahead 73-39.

Fourth quarter: Carroll, Reyes end things with for 12-0 run

After Reyes opened the fourth quarter with a score, Tadda knocked down a three-ball for Bamberg to pull within 75-42. Bamberg would not get any closer the rest of the game as Carroll nailed back-to-back three balls and combined with Reyes for all 12 points in 12-0 run for an 87-42 lead. Sanders and Smith both hit triples to get the deficit back to 87-48. And two more Smith long balls cut the gap to 94-58.