Real Madrid-Barça: Clásico to close out 2024
Chus Mateo's boys will be looking for a home win on matchday 13 in the League (8:30 pm CET).
This evening sees Real Madrid and Barça go head-to-head in the third Clásico of the season so far, a clash that is fast becoming a Christmas tradition. Chus Mateo's charges have won their last five against the azulgranas, dating back to last year's playoff semifinals, and they'll be hoping to extend that run to see out 2024 on a high.
Two Clásicos, two wins so far this season between the two rivals. Madrid got the better of Barcelona in the Super Cup semis in Murcia (89-83) and did the same in Round 12 of the EuroLeague at the Palau in November following two overtimes and Campazzo crucial three-pointer (90-97). These games added to the 3-0 League 2023/24 semifinals makes it 5 successive Clásicos to the madridistas.
The nature of this game means form goes out the window, and as ever, it will be decided by minor details. In the last clash, our boys found great consistency in offense, with Campazzo, Hezonja and Tavares all on fire (the three of them totalled a PIR of 94). The point guard is the top-rated player in the League in 2024 with an average of 17.6, while the center tops the rebound statistics. Strong defense and bringing down the opposition point-scoring will be key. Punter and Vesely were top performers in the previous matchup, but the squad is loaded with talent. Satoransky, Parra and Willy Hernángomez have been their standout names in the league so far.
Llull on the cusp of another record
If selected, the captain will overtake Felipe Reyes today as the highest madridista appearance-maker in the ACB and his total of 620 would set a new record, just three days on from his latest EuroLeague milestone. The point guard celebrated with a sublime display in the win over Alba Berlin away from home, posting 20 points and 5 triples. It's a big night of basketball coming up at the WiZink Center in what will be the last game of 2024.