The reigning European Champions tonight face a must-win game in the battle to make the Euroleague playoffs. The last round of the Top 16 sees the Whites take on a Khimki side who also have all to play for at the Barclaycard Center in what's set to be a great night of European basketball. A win will be enough for Real Madrid, as long as Zalgiris don't beat Barcelona, Laboral Kutxa fail to overcome Brose Baskets and Olympiacos are beaten by CSKA Moscow.

Following on from what Laso referred to as the 13 cup finals that the Whites have played in the group of death, the team come into the final round in fifth place, having registered the same number of wins as six-placed Brose Baskets and Olympiacos in seventh. Whilst Laso's charges have recorded one win less than Barcelona in third and Khimki in fourth. Five teams are left battling it out for the remaining two berths, with CSKA and Laboral Kutxa having already secured their qualification. Amongst all of the permutations, Real Madrid can clinch a playoff place tonight as fourth-placed finishers. The Whites will take to the court already knowing the result of the encounter between Zalgiris and Barcelona and with the Brose Baskets-Laboral Kutxa game underway.

Just one set of results would eliminate Madrid
Should the Lithuanians/or the Basque outfit be downed, the Whites would make the playoffs without having to wait to find out how Olympiacos fare on Friday at home against CSKA. On the other hand, if Barcelona and Brose Baskets are beaten, Real Madrid's fate will hinge on the Greeks not winning. Khimki's destiny is in their own hands, with the Russians knowing that a win will be enough to take them into the playoffs.


REAL MADRID HAVE WON ON THE LAST TWO OCCASIONS IN WHICH THEY HAVE ENDED THE TOP 16 CAMPAIGN AT HOME.
Whilst last season the last game of the Top 16 wasn't a must-win encounter, the duel in the 2012-13 season was. On that occasion, Madrid ran out 86-66 winners over Anadolu Efes to claim home-court advantage. The Moscow side come into the game with the pressure that comes with the prospect of being eliminated as the side who — based on their roster and budget — were billed as favourites. In the reverse fixture in the Top 16, the madridistas handed out a 82-93 defeat that was tough to take for the hosts, in a game in which Ayón starred on the way to registering a PIR of 41.

Two of the top performing offenses
The game has all the hallmarks of being one for the offenses, given the talent out on court and how many points both sides have allowed (an average of more than 80 points). Once again, the key to the encounter will lie with the defensive application and rebounds.

Madrid face a side which evidences the mark of Ivanovic, who replaced Kurtinaitis at the helm of the Russian side. There last two triumphs saw them limit Zalgiris to 71 points and Olympiacos to 66. More than ever before, the support of the home faithful has a vital role to play.Team captain, Felipe Reyes summed up the feelings of the Real Madrid camp ahead of the game, declaring that, "We need to show that we're a team of champions, the same team that lifted the Euroleague title last year". Only a win will do to make the playoffs.