MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid conceded its fourth defeat in the last five Endesa League games by falling (72-80) to Bitci Baskonia on matchday 23, on a Sunday with victories in the playoff zone for Joventut, Lenovo Tenerife and Río Breogán, and below the Hereda San Pablo Burgos.
Pablo Laso’s team left a poor performance at the WiZink Center, without response against a Baskonia that took advantage of the visit to the capital to recover a good handful of self-esteem. The Basque team showed its best version in several months in the second half.
Steven Enoch led the comeback (17 points), also Peters and Costello winning the battle on the inside. All in all, Tavares was the best of the locals, but in the last one Sergio Llull barely showed any quality and character. In addition to failing again at home, Madrid (17-5) wasted the defeat the day before against Barça (15-4) in the fight for the lead.
For the Basques it means reaffirming their commitment to the national ‘playoffs’ (11-9), since in the Euroleague the impotence is great. The ‘Top 8’ is closer to Joventut, with their 13th victory after beating Surne Bilbao Basket (71-77). Second win in two days for a ‘Penya’ who dominated from the start.
In addition, Lenovo Tenerife beat Monbus Obradoiro (86-83) with a Marcelinho Huertas record. The point guard beat one of George Gervin, at 39 years old, to be the oldest to reach 30 points in the Endesa League. The Canarian team is back to work with the best Huertas and also Fitipaldo recovered after injury, in a performance that also needed Wiltjer, Shermadini and Doornekamp.
With 11 wins pressing to enter the ‘Top 8’, Río Breogán beat MoraBanc Andorra (79-86), a first win in the club’s history in the Principality. February’s MVP and most valued player of the season, Dzanan Musa, led the performance from Lugo with 21 points and seven rebounds for a PIR of 26.
Meanwhile, Gran Canaria beat Casademont Zaragoza away from home (76-86) to add their tenth win of the season, third in a row, with a tremendous contribution from Shurna, Brussino and Diop.
In addition, the day brought drama in a direct duel between the two teams in the relegation zone, which Hereda San Pablo Burgos won against Coosur Real Betis (71-74), to equal the six victories of the Andalusian team. Second in a row for the team from Burgos, with Benite (15 points), Nnoko (18 PIR) and Salash, the best.