Real Madrid-Barça: all out for the second point in front of the WiZink Center faithful
The Whites will be vying to take the lead in the final series, which shifts to Madrid for the third and fourth games (9pm CET).
This evening, Real Madrid take on Barcelona in the third matchup of the evenly balanced final series 1-1, the first at the WiZink Center. After defeating the Catalans on their home court and slipping to defeat in the second clash after some controversial refereeing, the Whites will be vying to make it 2-1 in the series. To do so, they will need the backing of the Palacio crowd on another big night of basketball, to move a step closer to clinching the title.
The final has seen the two teams try to impose their game styles, with Madrid taking the initiative in the first meeting and dominating from start to finish in terms of defence, rebounding and outside shooting, giving Barça no chance, but in the game 48 hours ago the madridistas missed out on the victory. Nevertheless, despite the refereeing controversy, the comeback in the last few minutes proves that they had a chance to win the game. This speaks volumes about the mental strength shown by the team.
The final has seen the two teams try to impose their game styles, with Madrid taking the initiative in the first meeting and dominating from start to finish in terms of defence, rebounding and outside shooting, giving Barça no chance, but in the game 48 hours ago the madridistas missed out on the victory. Nevertheless, despite the refereeing controversy, the comeback in the last few minutes proves that they had a chance to win the game. This speaks volumes about the mental strength shown by the team.
Madrid have managed to control Barça's pivotal players like Higgins, Laprovittola, Davies and Kuric, with Mirotic serving as a focal point to pull his team through in tricky moments, as happened on Wednesday. The fight for rebounds will also be paramount. Chus Mateo's troops will have to assert more strength and create more inside rotation with the likes of Tavares, Poirier and Yabusele against a team that welcomed back Sanli and managed to level this aspect of the game in the second contest. Then of course, there was the issue of three-point shooting. If Madrid hit them, they are deadly. They shot 41% from three-point range on the first day but only 19% on the second.
Everyone to the Palacio!
More good news for the madridistas was the return of Llull. The captain performed excellently, as he always does on important occasions, and this means that Chus Mateo regains one more key player for the point guard position. However, the fans could prove to be the differentiating factor. The Palau was a roaring cauldron, but the WiZink Center, which has twice the capacity, must be the sixth man more than ever to drive Madrid to a second victory in the final.
Everyone to the Palacio!
More good news for the madridistas was the return of Llull. The captain performed excellently, as he always does on important occasions, and this means that Chus Mateo regains one more key player for the point guard position. However, the fans could prove to be the differentiating factor. The Palau was a roaring cauldron, but the WiZink Center, which has twice the capacity, must be the sixth man more than ever to drive Madrid to a second victory in the final.