Real Madrid-Joventut: aiming for the first point in the semi-final of the playoffs
Chus Mateo's side get the road to the league final underway at the WiZink Center (9pm CEST).
Real Madrid kick off the Endesa League semi-finals against Joventut Badalona. The best-of-five play-off, with home-court advantage in our favour, will begin today at the WiZink Center. Chus Mateo's team will be looking to get ahead in a playoff that has been previously played five times in ACB history and was last contested sixteen years ago.
Two historic teams go in search of a place in the final. The European champions will need to get past a very tough opponent in order to fight for the title. Chus Mateo's team go into the most important stretch of the season in their best form: 12 straight victories. A run that began on 30 April against Casemont Zaragoza and has continued with a flawless month of May 11 out of 11. Our team knocked out Gran Canaria in the first round in style by 2-0, while La Penya beat Baskonia by 0-2 with the home-court factor against them.
Two historic teams go in search of a place in the final. The European champions will need to get past a very tough opponent in order to fight for the title. Chus Mateo's team go into the most important stretch of the season in their best form: 12 straight victories. A run that began on 30 April against Casemont Zaragoza and has continued with a flawless month of May 11 out of 11. Our team knocked out Gran Canaria in the first round in style by 2-0, while La Penya beat Baskonia by 0-2 with the home-court factor against them.
Real Madrid and Joventut are the best offensive teams in the playoffs, averaging 92 and 91 points respectively, meaning that defence will be one of the main factors. Our team will have to limit Joventut's three-point shooting success against Baskonia 44.6%, whilst minimising the contribution of Guy 58 points in two games and Feliz, who also scored well. Chus Mateo's team managed a 44.6% scoring efficiency in the quarter-finals. Musa 21 points, Llull 15 and Sergio Rodríguez 12 excelled in this area against Gran Canaria.
Rebounding and past records
Another important factor will be the battle for rebounds because the two most powerful teams in the competition come up against each other. Hezonja, Yabusele, Rudy, Ndiaye and company have all stepped up to assist Tavares, who averaged 10 rebounds in the first round. The Green and Blacks have a top-class inside game with Tomic, Ellenson, Birgander and Brodziansky, in addition to Joel Parrav assisting. Its sixteen years since we met Penya in the semifinals. The sixth time in the ACB, with a 4-1 balance in our favour. We have won both league games this season: 96-79 at the WiZink Center and 76-86 at the Olímpico de Badalona. Tonight, we go in search of the third.
Rebounding and past records
Another important factor will be the battle for rebounds because the two most powerful teams in the competition come up against each other. Hezonja, Yabusele, Rudy, Ndiaye and company have all stepped up to assist Tavares, who averaged 10 rebounds in the first round. The Green and Blacks have a top-class inside game with Tomic, Ellenson, Birgander and Brodziansky, in addition to Joel Parrav assisting. Its sixteen years since we met Penya in the semifinals. The sixth time in the ACB, with a 4-1 balance in our favour. We have won both league games this season: 96-79 at the WiZink Center and 76-86 at the Olímpico de Badalona. Tonight, we go in search of the third.