ACB: Bara and Madrid, run for the Copa del Rey | ACB 2019

Whites beat Betis and Barca in Gran Canaria and recover sensations for the first title of the season

• Betis
  

  Tavares and the Real Madrid horror empire
  

• Madrid.
  

  Sergio Llull's lowest moment
  

The stifling season makes a stop, not less demanding, next week. The Copa del Rey arrives in Mlaga, the first fireworks, still in the retina the polics of the last editions. And the two favorites, which this time will not be able to repeat the final – they agree on the same part of the painting, they will be able to cross in the semifinals -, sharpen their knives after some recent irregular results (and sensations). On Sunday, both Real Madrid and Barcelona took a bath of confidence before taking the AVE to Mlaga.

In the morning, Real Madrid had no trouble in the WiZink against Coosur Betis. The Sevillians, despite the improvement experienced, continue fighting at the bottom of the table. A general essay in which they did not participate Thompkins, Rudy and Taylor and in which this time Laso's team kept the concentration that he's been missing so much lately. After the tight victories of the week in Euroleague (Baskonia and Alba), straighten its course. December and January have been very demanding for the trips, injuries, entrances and exits of players. I understand that possible mental fatigue, Pablo Laso acknowledged, with eyes only for Bilbao, fourth opponent: We lost all.

If there is a proper name above the rest in the targets it is the one of Facundo Campazzo. In the last two clashes he has distributed 32 assists. An eyesore. It creates a lot of play, but the assists come also for the team's work. Sometimes I'm a bit heavy on the bases, but I've also been lucky enough to train players better than me in that position, his technician acknowledged.

As Laso record well, it was the fifth game in 11 days for Madrid. Also for Barcelona, ​​which hit the table on Gran Canaria (65-81). Y without Nikola Mirotic, which is absolutely essential. Nor did Heurtel, who was injured again after his return. His great defense and the inner game were essential in a game too without too much sweat. With 16 points, Higgins was the top scorer and Oriola took advantage of his minutes: 14 points and seven rebounds. We have not lost many balls, the coach being happy, jokes Tomic, another of the most prominent.

The current two-time Cup champion defending his crown at Martn Carpena -see them with Valencia, another team in form- from the top of the Endesa League table. And after nine consecutive wins, although some of them really adjusted. The overall balance between Liga and Euroleague indicates the obvious equality between the two greats of national basketball: 35-10 for the Catalans and 34-11 for the whites.