Baskonia-Real Madrid: all out for a place in the semi-finals of La Liga
Chus Mateo's team visits Vitoria looking to seal a 2-0 victory in the quarter-final playoff (9:15 pm CEST).
After Tuesday's victory at the Movistar Arena, Real Madrid faces the second game of the quarter-final playoff against Baskonia tonight at the Buesa Arena. They have two chances to secure a place in the semi-finals, but will try to do so at the first attempt on a court where they already won during the regular season.
It should be a very difficult game. Chus Mateo's side will have to face an opponent who is playing for league survival and in front of a crowd that will fill the Vitoria arena. But Madrid are eager to take advantage of their good form and continue the positive momentum provided by their spectacular run of 23 consecutive victories in this competition. It will be the fifth meeting between the two sides this season, with Madrid leading 4-1.
The path to follow is that of the third quarter of the first game, where the team showed its best defensive form, which has made it the team that has conceded the fewest points in the league. In addition, in offence, they had the contribution of several players (six players finished with between nine and 16 points). Madrid also won the rebound battle, but will have to significantly reduce the number of turnovers from the other day. Baskonia shot 22% from three-point range and will surely improve. Howard and Moneke are key players for Laso's team. Another key will be to minimise the contribution of players such as Samanic, Forrest, and Luwawu-Cabarrot.
Musa and Tavares put on a show
The forward, who played one minute in the first game after missing three due to injury, had his best performance as a Madrid player in LaLiga at the Buesa Arena on 6 January. The team won 82-89 with 29 points, 5 out of 5 on three-pointers, and a PIR of 38 in almost 29 minutes of play. For his part, the Cape Verdean centre had a PIR of 35 in Tuesday's victory (82-76) thanks to his double-double (16 points and 13 rebounds). With this win, Madrid now has nine consecutive victories in the playoffs. On to the semi-finals.