In Real Madrid's Clásico win against FC Barcelona in Round 5 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season, Gabriel Deck and Vincent Poirier played important roles in the triumph.

Deck, Poirier inspired Real Madrid's El Clásico comeback

A win in [*El Clásico* between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-real-madrid-baloncesto-vs-fc-barcelona/) is much more than another notch in the victory column. One reason for that is that the victor must show great hustle on both ends throughout the game. That's exactly what both sides did at WiZink Center on Thursday night, when *Los Blancos* managed to come out on top thanks to a couple of very impressive displays by Gabriel Deck and Vincent Poirier.

The two combined for more than half of Real’s points, with Deck scoring a game-high 20 and Poirier adding 14 in a narrow 65-64 win. On a night when Facundo Campazzo did not make a field goal, Sergio Llull netted just 2 points and Rudy Fernandez went scoreless, Deck was aware that he was one of the players who had to step up.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏀🤝⚽ ¡Invitados de lujo en el WiZink! <br>😍 We know those guys! 🤙 <a href="https://t.co/ehjFZgIjcI">pic.twitter.com/ehjFZgIjcI</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1717636253632381304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Deck led Real Madrid’s turnaround

The Argentine forward scored 9 points in the second quarter, when the hosts were trailing by double digits, including his team's sole first-half three-pointer to trim the gap to 28-30 at halftime. The reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champs dominated the third quarter and managed to turn the game around in the third quarter. Their comeback from being as many as 14 points down midway through the second quarter amounted to the biggest deficit the Real has overcome to beat Barcelona in the EuroLeague this century. Real now leads the series 18-17.

“We were asleep at the wheel at first, missing a lot,” Deck told [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) after the game. “In the third quarter we changed our mindset, we changed the energy and we were able to get a lead that we were able to maintain until the end.”

Gabriel Deck scored 20 points as Real Madrid beat FC Barcelona 65-64 in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Gabriel Deck's highlights vs. Barcelona

### Poirier assured Real extra possessions

Meanwhile, Poirier contributed the most in Real’s bid to complete a second-half comeback. After going 3-for-3 on two-pointers before the break, the French center finished the game with an excellent 7-for-8 (87.5% 2FG) inside the paint.

Just as importantly, he corralled as many as 6 offensive rebounds, tied for second-highest in the Euroleague this season, to boost Real's chances on a night when its long-distance accuracy was missing completely. Its 2-for-22 three-point shooting amounted to just the fourth time in 566 EuroLeague games since 2000 that Real has made less than 10% of its three-point tries. 

“We always fight every game and everyone is contributing,” Poirier said to [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) in the locker room afterward. “We have to attack and the second-chance \[opportunities\] are very important. Today we made 2 of I don't know how many three-pointers and the offensive rebounds helped us to have confidence and get another shot.”

Vincent Poirier scored 14 points as Real Madrid beat FC Barcelona 65-64 in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Vincent Poirier's highlights vs. Barcelona

### Stepping up despite absences

Apart from Real's shooting woes, Round 2 MVP forward Guerschon Yabusele missed out on *El Clásico* through injury and last season's Final Four MVP, center Walter Tavares, played less than 7 minutes after committing 3 fouls in the first half. Poirier stepped into that frontcourt breach splendidly, though.

“Against Barcelona, we know that it’s always like that,” added Poirier. “We have to fight until the last minute. We got the win and for the rest of the season we need games like that, where we’re going to fight until the end, to be focused. This will give us confidence for the rest of the season.”

Head coach Chus Mateo decided to start Poirier in the third quarter and the 30-year-old paid back his boss’s confidence by inspiring Real to a double-digit lead heading into the last 10 minutes. Barca bounced back but it wasn't enough, as Real became the only EuroLeague team to boast a perfect 5-0 record after five rounds.

More Real Madrid News

Vincent Poirier and Gabriel Deck join Mario Hezonja in contesting a rebound during Real Madrid's win against FC Barcelona in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

On a night when little separated the age-old rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two frontcourt forces for the hosts made all the difference.


Real Madrid v FC Barcelona (2023-10-26T18:45:00.000Z)

The veteran center is off to a fast start for ALBA in his fifth EuroLeague season.

World champion Thiemann's sky-high confidence helping ALBA develop

It should be no surprise that [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) played a major role in [ALBA Berlin securing its first win of the EuroLeague season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/37/). Not only does the center know the club’s system but he is coming into the season with sky-high confidence as a freshly-crowned world champion.

Thiemann poured in 22 points on 6-of-9 field-goal shooting and 7-of-9 on free throws to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in ALBA’s come-from-behind 85-82 win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

Thiemann was coming off his worst EuroLeague game of the season, with just 7 points and 7 rebounds in Round 4 after having averaged 12.7 points and 8.3 rebounds with two double-doubles in the first three games.

The 29-year-old stepped up for ALBA on Thursday when it mattered most against Milan. In the final 6:27 minutes of the game, Thiemann scored 10 points including a three-pointer and a three-point play following his third offensive rebound of the quarter to knot the game at 82-82 with a minute left. Thiemann added a free throw with 7.0 seconds left to provide the final scoreline.

"We kept \[the energy\] a little lower in practice this week so we had the energy for the game. We just wanted it more," Thiemann said. "It’s so important especially for us as a young team. We still need time to build, to grow. But to get some wins along the way is amazing."

Johannes Thiemann (22 points) Highlights vs. AX Armani Exchange Milan, 10/26/2023

Johannes Thiemann's highlights vs Milan

Thiemann enters the season after the high of winning the FIBA Basketball World Cup with Germany. He averaged 7.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 18 minutes per game at the tournament.

There is not only that confidence but also his experience in the EuroLeague as well as in ALBA’s system. Thiemann is playing his sixth season with ALBA and fifth in the EuroLeague, and he played three seasons with the EuroCup with Bamberg Basket and ALBA. He is a five-time German champion - 2015 and 2016 with Bamberg and the ALBA three-peat from 2020 to 2022.

"JT is taking advantage of his knowledge of the team and the game and his confidence from the World Cup," ALBA coach Israel Gonzalez said. “I hope he will play like this all season, but we know this is not possible, that he will have some moments like he is playing now. But there will also be moments where he needs to rest or take a step back to recover."

Until then, it wouldn’t be a surprise if ALBA is carried by Thiemann to a few more wins.

ALBA Berlin v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-10-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid Baloncesto downed FC Barcelona 65-64 in the EuroLeague El Clásico at WiZink Center on Thursday night, despite having a horrible night from three-point range.

Real Madrid overcame three-point nightmare to defeat Barcelona

Real Madrid is now the only team in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with a perfect record after beating FC Barcelona 65-64 at WiZink Center in Round 5 of the 2023-24 regular season on Thursday night. Despite securing the win, Los Blancos shot a dismal 2-of-22 from three-point territory.

The only two players to strike from distance were Gabriel Deck and Mario Hezonja. It took until there were 4 seconds left on the clock in the second quarter for Deck to drain Real’s first three-pointer, before Hezonja later added one in the third quarter.

Curiously, as Darius Garuolis points out, Real's 9.1% on three-pointers is the third-worst mark in the club's history.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇪🇸 Real Madrid shot 9.09 3FG% which is 3rd lowest value in Real&#39;s history.<br><br>🔹2021-22 RS R27: 6.7%<br>🔹2010-11 RS R05: 6.7%<br>🔹2023-24 RS R05: 9.1% 👈<br>🔹2021-22 RS R26: 9.1%<br>🔹2010-11 T16 R05: 10.0%</p>&mdash; Darius Garuolis (@DariusGaruolis) <a href="https://twitter.com/DariusGaruolis/status/1717651082250186759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Deck lit a fuse under Real Madrid

In particular, Deck’s triple helped provide a spark for Los Blancos, which they carried into the second half. After making it 28-30 at halftime with his three-pointer, Real went on to outscore Barca 23-11 en route to a 51-41 margin entering the final quarter.

Prior to Deck getting the Real fans off their seats going into halftime, Chus Mateo’s squad had shot a dismal 0-of-14 from distance. Perhaps, given that stat, it is a surprise that Barca had not been able to pull away further.

One of the key reasons why is down to the hosts’ dominance in the paint, as they ended up outrebounding the visitors 27-20; of those 27, 13 came on the offensive end. Real also scored 8 second-chance points in the first half compared to 0 for Barca.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">👏👏👏 <a href="https://t.co/gB8oTBVRKZ">pic.twitter.com/gB8oTBVRKZ</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1717650916403204178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Although Real turned the game around and entered the final lead with a commanding 10-point lead, Barca refused to go away and managed to chip away at the lead bit by bit. The Blaugrana had their chances to tie the game from the free-throw line in the closing stages, but instead it was Facu Campazzo and later Hezonja that got Real over the line from the charity stripe, which ensured Los Blancos won the first Clásico of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Mario Hezonja and Facu Campazzo of Real Madrid come together during their team's win against FC Barcelona in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The hosts shot just 2-of-22 from distance, yet still came away with the win.

Olympiacos Piraeus eased to a 75-57 home victory over Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, thanks to rock-solid defending which the former champions struggled to cope with from start to finish.

Ironclad defense steered Olympiacos Piraeus past misfiring Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Olympiacos Piraeus eased to a 75-57 home victory over Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, thanks to rock-solid defending which the former champions struggled to cope with from start to finish.

Efes endured a miserable shooting night, having been undone in other key departments too as Olympiacos dished out more assists (21-14) and outrebounded the visitors (39-35), in what turned out to be a lopsided contest. Efes was only able to stand its ground in the first quarter, which Olympiacos won 17-14, as the home team piled the pressure from there on to force the Turkish side into early submission.

Olympiacos Piraeus-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Round 5 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

"We did a very good job, we came out strong because we knew that Efes is a very talented team," Papanikolaou said in a post-game interview.

"They have a lot of great scorers and are able to create a lot of problems if they get into their rhythm. We were very focused and the result came as everyone did their job. We get our momentum and confidence from defense and hopefully, we will keep going in that direction," he said.

Coach Georgios Bartzokas added: "We were patient in offense and tried to find good looks. But it was the defense that gave us the momentum as we kept Efes down to 57 points. We had three days to prepare this game and this was very important for us amid a tough schedule."

Game News

Following a low-scoring first half (33-25), the floodgates opened in the second as Olympiacos started hitting three-pointers and came up with a barrage of layups from a quick transition of the ball. The home team’s hustle forced a barrage of tough perimeter shots at the other end, as Efes made only 8 of 31 three-pointers and 15 of 33 from two-point territory. In contrast, Olympiacos sank 22 of 34 from inside the arc and 8 of 26 from downtown, having also confined Efes to just 4 free throws.

There was no way back for the visitors after Olympiacos opened a 61-43 lead at the end of the third quarter when Alec Peters nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer.

"A very serious performance from our team as we focused on all the outstanding backcourt players that Efes has," Bartzokas added at the post-game press conference. "We were able to share the ball more in the second half and it’s a win we consider to be very important."

Olympiacos will visit fierce rival Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 6, the team it knocked out in last season’s playoffs, while Efes is away to Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

The Reds made life difficult for the visiting team with aggressive half-court pressure.

Ironclad defense steered Olympiacos past misfiring Efes

Olympiacos Piraeus v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-10-26T19:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco blew past the visiting Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 107-79 on Thursday night and in the process set a couple of a club records, while seeing its superstar guard reach a milestone of his own.

Monaco tied its club scoring record with 107 points, which is also the club's new scoring mark in a non-overtime game. The final margin of victory is also the biggest since Monaco joined the league in the 2021-22 season.

In the process, Mike James became the fourth player ever, and the fastest, to reach 4,000 career points. He was 7 points short entering the game, but reached the milestone in the first quarter and finished with 24 points in just over 21 minutes on the floor, without even playing in the fourth quarter.

Game Videos

The way James was hot, the entire team was hot.

Monaco shot 12-of-22 (54.5%) from three-point land, and had 14 offensive rebounds despite only 28 missed field goals. The team also had 23 assists and just 9 turnovers.

"It was a lot of fun", James said after the game. "We shot the basketball extremely well, we played one of the best basketball games since I've been here, really."

And that says a lot for a team that reached the playoffs two seasons ago, in James's first campaign with the club, and then went to the Final Four last year.

But just two weeks ago things did not look so bright, after Monaco scored a total of 125 points in the first two rounds combined.

"We needed this one, because we previously got our butts kicked in this arena", said Monaco forward John Brown. He was referring to a 59-83 beating to the hands of Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 2.

And while that defeat looked worrisome, only 14 days later things look very bright for Monaco.

Brown provided energy with his 11 points and 8 rebounds, Elie Okobo played with ease to a tune of 17 points and 6 assists, and Kemba Walker had his first double-digit scoring game, finishing with 10 in 17 minutes.

Add to the equation that Jordan Loyd is nearing his return to the floor, and this Monaco looks the part of the title contender we all thought it will be before the season started.

James, Monaco sent a message on a milestone night

AS Monaco v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-10-26T19:00:00.000Z)

Aleksa Avramovic stepped up late to guide KK Partizan to a win in the Belgrade derby against KK Crvena zvezda in Round 5 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Aleksa Avramovic turned on the heat as Partizan clinched a thrilling Belgrade derby

Aleksa Avramovic had a quiet Belgrade derby for long spells, but the 29-year-old point guard saved his best for last. The Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade player stepped up late by hitting one trademark clutch shot after another to inspire his team to a [comeback 88-86 home win over Crvena Zvezda Meridian Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-kk-partizan-vs-kk-crvena-zvezda/) in Round 5 on Thursday night.

Partizan looked out for the count after Zvezda overcame a slow start in a fervent atmosphere and turned an early 17-2 deficit into a 64-75 lead midway through the quarter, but the sublime Avramovic ignited the final twist with a couple of three-pointers and some spectacular drives to the basket.

“All 10 players were the man of the night, as well as the coaching staff and our incredible fans,” Avramovic said in a flash courtside interview after sinking 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor. “We were in a tough spot when we trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter but we believed in each other. Winning the derby is always a special thing,” he said.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">ALEKSA AVRAMOVIĆ.<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/bdjmdLe55q">pic.twitter.com/bdjmdLe55q</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1717645025553613162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Forward Zach LeDay added: “Congratulations to Aleksa, he came up big in the second half. We are going through a tough period right now but we showed fight and resilience. In a derby game anything can happen but we stayed together and that’s the most important thing.”

### Almost a perfect start for Coach Sfairopoulos

Partizan improved to 2-3 while Zvezda slipped to 1-4, after coming close to giving a perfect start to its new coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos, who took over from Dusko Ivanovic on Sunday.

Partizan fired on all cylinders in the early exchanges as Frank Kaminsky was unstoppable in the paint, scoring 8 of the home team’s opening 16 points. Ognjen Jaramaz, who managed a grand total of 0 points in the opening four rounds, was a surprise starter and sank 11 in the first half.

However, Zvezda quickly regained its composure after falling behind and drew level by halftime, 42-42, as Shabazz Napier, Adam Hanga and Joel Bolomboy got the visitors going on offense. The visiting team looked the more likely winner after romping into a 52-65 lead late in the third quarter and 55-68 early in the fourth, with Yago Dos Santos also finding his range from three-point territory.

Aleksa Avramovic scored 14 points, most of which were crucial, as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade beat Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 88-86 in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Aleksa Avramovic's highlights vs. Zvezda

Enter Avramovic! With Zvezda running out of steam late on, like it has done so often in the EuroLeague this season, Partizan’s point guard found two extra gears as he had more left in the tank than anyone else on the court. Zvezda’s seemingly insurmountable lead vanished in thin air as Avramovic sank a long triple over Napier to give Partizan a crunch 83-80 lead and the hosts held on to victory with cool shooting from the foul line, sending their passionate fans into raptures.

More Partizan News

Aleksa Avramovic (right) and James Nunnally (left) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade celebrate with the fans after they beat Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Serbia international came up big in the fourth quarter to turn the game around for the home team.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-10-26T16:30:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin had high expectations for Sterling Brown coming into the season as the main guard following an off-season of change. And the former NBA wing is starting to justify those hopes as he played a major role in ALBA getting its first win of the season. 

Sterling Brown showed vs. Olimpia Milano that he is finding his form for ALBA Berlin

ALBA Berlin had high expectations for Sterling Brown coming into the season as the main guard following an off-season of change. And the former NBA wing is starting to justify those hopes as he played a major role in ALBA getting its first win of the season.

The 28-year-old poured in 18 points including the game-deciding layup with 24 seconds to go in ALBA’s come-from-behind 85-82 win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

Sterling Brown shined for ALBA against Milan

"We had a lot of guys come out and just do what they do. We have a lot of young guys and they brought the energy. We just stayed with it. Stayed with the offensive concepts and defensive schemes and we came out with the win," said Brown, who also had 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the victory.

It was the third straight game in which Brown has scored at least 15 points and grabbed at least 4 rebounds while totaling 10 assists in those three games. Brown had a combined 13 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists in his first two EuroLeague contests.

"I’m getting more and more comfortable every day. Putting in the extra work at practice and putting up the extra shots. Teammates and coaching staff confident in what I can do," said Brown, who appeared in 292 NBA games over six seasons for four teams.

The native of the Chicago suburb Maywood had his best NBA season in 2020-21 when he averaged 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Houston Rockets. Brown appeared in just 4 games in the NBA last season, playing the rest of the season in the NBA G-League.

That led him to come to Europe for the first time and he is making his debut in the EuroLeague for ALBA. The German club hopes Brown can be the replacement for Maodo Lo, who left the club and headed to Milan. And Brown is ready for the challenge.

"I just have to go out there and perform. It’s no stress. This is basketball. I just gotta stay in a rhythm and get more comfortable," he said.

The EuroLeague rookie scored the game-winner on Thursday as ALBA claimed its first win of the season

Sterling Brown showed vs. Milan that he is finding his form for ALBA

Real Madrid improved to 5-0 after coming out on top in El Clásico, having downed FC Barcelona 65-64 at WiZink Center in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. Following this defeat, Barca dropped to a 4-1 record.

Real Madrid beats Barcelona 65-64 to grab Clásico bragging rights

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Facundo Campazzo of Real Madrid has possession during his team's game against FC Barcelona in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Los Blancos mounted an impressive comeback, before holding off the Blaugrana late on.

AS Monaco Basket dominated against Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. en route to a huge 107-79 win at Salle Gaston Medecin in Round 5 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

Monaco Basket dismantles Maccabi Tel Aviv, 107-79

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Elie Okobo of AS Monaco has possession during his team's Round 5 game against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The French side grabbed a historic win over the team is also eliminated from last season's EuroLeague Playoffs.