H Real Madrid did the ultimate in WiZink Center against the Baskoniawinning 101-90 for 2-0 in the series against the Basques.
Chus Matteo’s side came into the fourth period strongly, building a margin of safety which they maintained until the final and are now one win away from qualifying for the Final 4 in Berlin to defend their title.
Facundo Campacho (24 points) led the attack for Madrid, who had six players in double figures against Baskonia, who had a big night from Vanja Marinkovic.
The match
The duo of Facundo Campacho and Mario Jezonia carried Real offensively in the first quarter against Baskonia, scoring 7 points each for Madrid’s 23-21 lead in that period. The hosts got second chances with the offensive rebounds against the Basques who found solutions with the long shot having 5/9 three-pointers.
In fact, Vincent Poirier raised the difference to double digits for the first time, making it 37-27 in the 14th minute. Baskonia ran individual scores 10-2 for 39-37 with Chris Chioza’s three-pointer, but Real Madrid withstood the pressure of the visitors and went to the locker room with a 46-40 advantage.
Facundo Campacho led the Queen offensively in the first half with 14 points on 2/2 shooting, 3/3 2-pointers, 2/3 3-pointers against Baskonia, which was led by Vanja Marinkovic and Marcus Howard.
Then Dusko Ivanovic’s team tried to react but every time they got close to the score (58-53, 25′), Real found a way to escape. It is characteristic that the “Blancos” started the last period with an 8-0 streak, building a safety margin (82-63, 32′) and laying the foundations for the 2-0. Real Madrid managed properly until the final and reached the victory with 101-90.
THE DECADES: 23-21, 46-40, 74-63, 101-90.
WHERE WAS THE MATCH REFERRED TO: At Real’s start in the fourth quarter, when they went on an 8-0 run to take an 82-63 lead, they were never threatened again by the Basques.
BEST OF ALL: Facundo Campacho filled his stats with 24 points (3/4 doubles, 4/5 triples, 6/6 vol.), four rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes.
THEY EXPECTED MORE: Mike Kochar was held to 3 points on 1/2 shooting in 19 minutes and fouled out.
HIS PERFORMANCE TURNED: Vanja Marinkovic was Baskonia’s top scorer with 20 points, four assists and two rebounds.
VICTORY CO-COMPETENT: Eddie Tavares had a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
MATCH STATISTICS: Real handed out 24 assists for 10 mistakes.
THEIR NEXT OBLIGATION: Real Madrid welcomes Obradoiro (28/4) and Baskonia is tested at home to Palencia (27/4) for the 31st matchday of the Liga Endesa.
Real Madrid – Baskonia 2-0
