Real Madrid maintained its position as leader of the Liga Endesa with a decisive victory over Dreamland Gran Canaria, winning 69-54 at the Gran Canaria Arena on March 2, 2025. The match marked yet another low-scoring affair, emphasizing the strength of Madrid's defense throughout the game.
Mario Hezonja emerged as the standout player for Real Madrid, contributing significantly with 14 points and 8 rebounds, as well as earning 18 evaluation points. His performance effectively neutralized the attempts of Nicolás Brussino from Dreamland Gran Canaria, who also tallied 14 points but struggled to influence the game beyond scoring.
From the onset, the match showcased Madrid's defensive capabilities, as they quickly established a double-digit lead. Despite the defensive efforts, both teams struggled with their shooting percentages. Gran Canaria managed only 5 out of 29 attempts from beyond the arc, which contributed to their inability to keep pace with Madrid.
Throughout the first half, Real Madrid took command with solid shooting, finishing the first quarter with a slight lead, primarily driven by their defense and offensive rebounds. By half-time, Madrid was up by 13 points, leading 38-25 after Hezonja scored from three-point range to close the half.
Jaka Lakovic's Gran Canaria team attempted to rally back, executing strategies to reduce the deficit. Yet, they faced difficulties finishing their shots as Madrid's defense tightened its grip. Despite hopeful moments where Gran Canaria's players like George Conditt scored steadily, they could not overcome the lead.
Real Madrid's coach, Chus Mateo, commented post-game, "No hemos jugado bien ni bonito para el espectador, pero me voy tranquilo a casa. Hemos defendido muy bien" (We did not play well or beautifully for the spectator, but I go home relaxed. We defended very well). This reflected his acknowledgment of the challenging nature of the match, noting the effectiveness of their defense over offensive style.
Interestingly, Gran Canaria's coach Jaka Lakovic expressed disappointment over his team's performance, stating, "En ataque hemos fallado mucho. En el tercer cuarto hemos jugado bien para volver al partido, pero luego nos ha costado" (We missed many shots on offense. We played well to come back in the third quarter, but then it became difficult for us). This indicated their struggles, particularly on the offensive front.
Looking at the game's statistics, Real Madrid demonstrated their rebounding strength with 43 total rebounds, significantly outpacing Gran Canaria's 31. This advantage on the boards and their superior shooting percentage were pivotal to Madrid’s success.
Notably, players such as Sergio Llull also stepped up, contributing 21 points, reiterative of Madrid's depth and overall performance capabilities. Llull and Hezonja's strategic offensive plays were instrumental for Madrid, especially during key phases when Gran Canaria threatened to close the gap.
This win marks Real Madrid's ninth successive victory, securing their lead at the top of the Liga Endesa standings with 17 wins against 4 losses. Gran Canaria, meanwhile, sits eighth with 11 wins and 10 losses, struggling to regain momentum as they look to climb back up the standings.
With the win, Real Madrid continues to demonstrate its championship potential as they gear up for their next contest against Panathinaikos in the tough European league, highlighting their need for consistent performance and possibly the return of injured players like Gabriel Deck to bolster their roster.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Madrid can sustain this form as they aim for both domestic and European glory. Meanwhile, Gran Canaria will have to regroup quickly and reassess as they aim for playoff positions. The next matches will certainly test their resolve and ability to rebound from this disappointing performance.