Real Madrid displayed their dominance once again in the Endesa League as they secured a comfortable victory over Baskonia, crushing their hopes of reaching the Copa del Rey. In a highly anticipated match at the Fernando Buesa Arena, Real Madrid emerged victorious with an impressive 85-99 scoreline, propelled by a stellar performance and a remarkable display of three-point shooting.
The Blaugranas entered the game needing a win or a loss by a margin of just one point against Real Madrid to secure their spot in the coveted final phase. However, they endured a catastrophic start to the match, which proved to be too much of a setback to overcome. Real Madrid took full advantage of Baskonia's early struggles, establishing a commanding lead of 18 points and netting an incredible 17 three-pointers throughout the game.
Real Madrid's triumphant charge was led by Guerschon Yabusele, Dzanan Musa, and Facundo Campazzo, with Campazzo's exceptional performance in the final quarter sealing the victory. On the Baskonia side, Chima Moneke showcased great energy and determination but struggled to make a significant impact, while his teammates failed to find their rhythm.
The game began with a flurry of three-pointers from Yabusele and Musa, exposing Baskonia's initial lapses on the defensive end. It took Markus Howard's long-range shot to finally put the home team on the scoreboard after four scoreless minutes. Unfortunately for Baskonia, chaos ensued as Real Madrid seized control, surging to a 3-14 lead within just five minutes.
Baskonia attempted to find their footing through lineup changes but was unable to contain the dynamic duo of Musa and Yabusele. The pair combined their scoring prowess, both in half-court sets and on fast breaks, leaving the Baskonia defense helpless. Yabusele, in particular, was instrumental in the first quarter, registering four three-pointers and accumulating 17 points, setting the stage for Real Madrid's impressive 20-35 lead.
Despite the offensive supremacy of Real Madrid, Baskonia managed to stay in the game thanks to Chris Chiozza's contribution of eight points. As the game progressed, Baskonia tightened their defense, but over-reliance on outside shooting hampered their chances of a comeback.
Real Madrid maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half, with Facundo Campazzo's six consecutive points opening up a significant gap. However, after Matt Costello's third personal foul, Baskonia found a lineup that sparked a response on both ends of the court. Although scoring became a challenge for both teams, Baskonia managed to trim the deficit and concluded the first half trailing 43-51.
The second half began with five quick points from Dzanan Musa, keeping Real Madrid in control. Baskonia, however, failed to capitalize on the opportunities presented by Real Madrid's occasional defensive lapses. Codi Miller-McIntyre's aggressive drives to the basket injected new life into the Baskonistas, revitalizing their efforts. Markus Howard's three-pointer brought them within four points at 62-66, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
Amidst Baskonia's resurgent display, Fabien Causeur's exceptional defensive efforts limited Howard's impact on the game. Meanwhile, Musa and his teammates remained composed, holding off Baskonia's charges and entering the final quarter with a 66-73 advantage.
The last quarter witnessed an exchange of three-pointers, favoring Real Madrid, who retained their lead established in the first half. Facundo Campazzo, the Argentinian maestro, rose to the occasion when his team needed him the most, dictating the tempo and steering his side towards victory. Baskonia appeared frantic and struggled with their long-range shooting, as time ran out against them. Real Madrid sealed their triumph with an impressive final score of 85-99, with Sergi Llull contributing five consecutive points, further cementing his legacy as he equaled Felipe Reyes's record for the most games played in the Real Madrid jersey, reaching a milestone of 1,046 appearances.
Match Details:
Baskonia: Miller-McIntyre (16), Howard (16), Raieste (-), Sedekerskis (7), Costello (7), Kotsar (2), Rogkavopoulos (3), Marinkovic (11), Diop (-), Moneke (15).
Real Madrid: Alocén (5), Hezonja (10), Musa (20), Yabusele (26), Tavares (2), Abalde (5), Llull (5), Causeur (-), Poirier (4), Campazzo (20), Ndiaye (-).
Referees: Antonio Conde, Rafael Serrano, and Arnau Padrós. Costello of Baskonia was eliminated due to personal fouls (min.37). A technical foul was called against Tavares (min.27).
Incidents: The match, part of the seventeenth round of the Endesa League, took place at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria with 15,313 spectators present (with no tickets available). Sergi Llull equaled Felipe Reyes's record for the most appearances in the Real Madrid jersey, reaching 1,046 games.