73-83: Victory in Badalona and one step closer to the final
Chus Mateo's team overcame Joventut at the Olímpico with three great quarters to make it 2-1 in the semi-finals. Musa (25 points and 29 in index rating).
Real Madrid have turned the tie around and are now just one win away from the league final. Our team beat Joventut in Badalona to take a 2-1 lead and regain the home-court advantage. Chus Mateo's team put in an almost perfect performance in the first three quarters, after which they were leading by 30 points, showing their strength as a team. Musa 25 points and 29 index rating, Hezonja 13 and 21 and Yabusele 16 and 19 led six players in double digits in index rating. The first opportunity to close the series will come in badalona this Monday 9:00pm CEST.
The European champions showed up at the Olimpico determined to take the upper hand. Their performance was devastating, with an impeccable first seven minutes on both sides of the court. They dominated the rebounding, dismantled the Green and Black defence on the counter-attack and in static 90% success rate in two-point shots and Musa led the scoring 8. At the back, they only conceded one basket in the game to their opponents at the start to take a +14 lead 4-18, which would end up being 9 points at the end of the first quarter after a mild local reaction 16-25.
Madrid stood firm
Joventut became more aggressive, with Guy making his team play 13 points, but they came up against a Madrid side that was very solid in defence of the assists and in controlling the rebounding around their own basket, where Tavares showed that he is a force to be reckoned with. Without scoring, the team was +17 with him on the court. In addition, Chus Mateo's team knew how to manage the pressure that had set in in the second quarter and the enormous pressure exerted by the Olímpico with intelligent and united play. Sergio Rodríguez and Hezonja stepped up in attack and when Penya were pressing hardest, Musa and Yabusele appeared again. The latter three scored 35 of the team's 48 points in the first half even more merit with only two three-pointers, which ended with a clear lead for our team at half-time in another great quarter 32-48.
The European champions showed up at the Olimpico determined to take the upper hand. Their performance was devastating, with an impeccable first seven minutes on both sides of the court. They dominated the rebounding, dismantled the Green and Black defence on the counter-attack and in static 90% success rate in two-point shots and Musa led the scoring 8. At the back, they only conceded one basket in the game to their opponents at the start to take a +14 lead 4-18, which would end up being 9 points at the end of the first quarter after a mild local reaction 16-25.
Madrid stood firm
Joventut became more aggressive, with Guy making his team play 13 points, but they came up against a Madrid side that was very solid in defence of the assists and in controlling the rebounding around their own basket, where Tavares showed that he is a force to be reckoned with. Without scoring, the team was +17 with him on the court. In addition, Chus Mateo's team knew how to manage the pressure that had set in in the second quarter and the enormous pressure exerted by the Olímpico with intelligent and united play. Sergio Rodríguez and Hezonja stepped up in attack and when Penya were pressing hardest, Musa and Yabusele appeared again. The latter three scored 35 of the team's 48 points in the first half even more merit with only two three-pointers, which ended with a clear lead for our team at half-time in another great quarter 32-48.
Madrid did not lower their intense rhythm and, with another strong start in the third quarter, they broke the game wide open. Chus Mateo's rotations kept up a very high level that met with no response from the home side. Our defence, one of the best of the season, gave nothing away, leaving their opponents with 11 points in the quarter. And everyone had their role to play in attack. Quality minutes from Williams-Goss to replace Sergio Rodríguez, Hanga, Poirier and, above all, Musa. The forward gave a masterclass of the basics and was unstoppable for Penya. Ten almost consecutive points from him between the 24th and 26th minutes completely demolished a game in which we reached a 30-point lead at 37-67.
Slowing down Joventut at the end
With the Olímpico on ice, the last quarter looked like a formality, but Joventut rallied to get to within five points at 73-78 in the final minute. Madrid put the game to bed in two moves: with a rebound by Tavares and an assist from the centre for a dunk by Yabusele, who sealed a great victory for the team despite the closing minutes 73-83, min.40. They will be back in Badalona this Monday for the first opportunity to close out the series 9:00pm CEST.
JOVENTUT-REAL MADRID STATISTICS
Slowing down Joventut at the end
With the Olímpico on ice, the last quarter looked like a formality, but Joventut rallied to get to within five points at 73-78 in the final minute. Madrid put the game to bed in two moves: with a rebound by Tavares and an assist from the centre for a dunk by Yabusele, who sealed a great victory for the team despite the closing minutes 73-83, min.40. They will be back in Badalona this Monday for the first opportunity to close out the series 9:00pm CEST.
JOVENTUT-REAL MADRID STATISTICS