Real Madrid takes out the roller against Baskonia
Laso’s men do not suffer from the loss of Tavares, with success, muscle and good news in Randolph and Thompkins
MADRID, 14 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid defeated Bitci Baskonia (89-74) this Friday on matchday 21 of the Euroleague to continue their strong pace, second in the table, a resounding victory at the WiZink Center that will attribute the Basque side to inactivity for the last two weeks .
Pablo Laso’s men, 15-3 to a victory over the leader Barça, showed a great level in their first continental match in 2022, while Neven Spahija’s men took a step back in terms of play and sensations. The Basques had not competed since December 30 and were far from climbing the table in search of the ‘Top 8’.
The coronavirus hit the white squad again in the run-up to the duel against the Basques with the casualties of Rudy Fernández and, moments before the match, of Edy Tavares. However, Madrid torpedoed a dislocated Baskonia, without rhythm and seemingly powerless to face the challenge in the capital.
The first quarter left a local mattress around ten and the Basques were not able to close the gap. In fact, on the verge of the break the game began to be in danger (50-33) with running out of history. Yabusele signed 13 points in the first quarter, very outstanding above all, and led the local muscle.
Despite not having Tavares, Madrid made a difference on the inside, leaving a 38-19 rebounding score at the end, against a very soft Baskonia. Randolph also added there, taking steps towards his best version as Thompkins did in his return. Laso’s team also punished in the three-pointer, sharing the success well and with Heurtel or Llull doing damage. The Frenchman opened the rent at the start of the second set and the Balearic fattened it up on the way to the locker room.
Abalde began to dye the match white, with a red carpet in the visiting defense, fought almost alone by Granger in the Basques. The triples by Baldwin and Costello, plus an increase in intensity in defense, changed the picture at times (61-48) after the break but Madrid did damage again with Randolph, very successful despite that greater defense.
With twenty, Laso’s team reached the last quarter, where Baskonia once again made the threat of fighting at the Palace. Randolph (13 points and 12 rebounds), Yabusele (17 and 8), Poirier (11 and 8) and Abalde (15) finished with important numbers. There was no Basque miracle, with recovery work required to resume what was taught two weeks ago with their victory over Barça.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 89 – BITCI BASKONIA, 74. (50-35, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT.
REAL MADRID: Causeur (7), Abalde (15), Taylor (10), Yabusele (17) and Poirier (11) –initial quintet– Williams-Goss (-), Heurtel (3), Llull (3), Randolph (13), Thompkins (10), Hanga (-).
BITCI BASKONIA: Granger (8), Baldwin IV (16), Giedraitis (10), Alec Peters (8) and Enoch (11) –initial quintet–; Lamar Peters (6), Sedekerskis (4), Costello (9), Fontecchio (2), Kurucs (-).
–PARTIALS: 25-17, 25-18, 19-15, 20-24.
–REFEREES: Radovic, Jovcic and Vyklicky. Eliminated Enoch for fouls.
–PAVILLION: WiZink Center, 4,553 spectators.