Defeat in Manresa

Real Madrid were unable to secure victory on their visit to Manresa on the final day of the regular season. Our team fought back from a 19-point deficit, but just as they were playing their best, two controversial refereeing decisions – which led to the sending-off of Yurtseven and Scariolo – disrupted their rhythm and forced them to play catch-up in a closely fought finale that went the home side’s way. Hezonja, with 32 points, was the standout performer for the Madrid side, who begin their quarter-final play-off series on Tuesday at the Movistar Arena.

Baxi Manresa started the match in fine form, led by Dani Pérez (7 points) and Akobundu (4), taking the initiative. Madrid grew into the game with Hezonja taking centre stage. The forward scored 9 of his team’s first 11 points, sparking an offensive revival and keeping the score tight against the home side. A 5-0 run tipped the balance in the final stretch of the first quarter in Manresa’s favour (26-19, min. 10).

Madrid’s response

Baxi Manresa continued to punish Madrid’s defence with their pace and perimeter players – now featuring Obasohan, Ubal and Reyes – who extended the lead to 19 points at 52–33 in the 18th minute. Krämer (two three-pointers) and Yurtseven (6 points) were the most active on the offensive end for our team. With the home side holding a commanding lead, Madrid reacted. Two great minutes in which they were more aggressive and found the outside shooting touch they had been lacking. Six points from Almansa, Madrid’s best player in the first half (10 points and a PIR of 11), and three consecutive three-pointers – two from Hezonja and one from Abalde – produced a 4-15 run to close the gap to 8 points at half-time (56-48).

Madrid stepped up the pressure after the break, with Yurtseven putting in a strong defensive display and blocking two shots. Deck and Hezonja made it 56–52 and the league leaders looked set to pull away. But that positive momentum was disrupted by a refereeing decision. An offensive foul by Yurtseven was called as unsportsmanlike, prompting protests from the centre, who was sent off, and from Scariolo, who received a technical foul. After reviewing the play, the referees changed the call to a standard foul. Bassas went to the free-throw line four times to help Manresa regain a 10-point lead. Madrid had to play without their centres once again. They were much more aggressive in their play and Hezonja, with 26 points in three quarters, carried the team on his shoulders with everyone contributing in defence, managing to take the lead 70-71 in the 28th minute.

A tight finish

The home side went into the final quarter one point ahead, but Madrid were fully in the game and had settled into playing with four smaller players. Scariolo asked for a review of a foul on Abalde that had not been called. The referees awarded him a second technical foul, which resulted in his ejection. Baxi Manresa took an 8-point lead. Even so, Madrid fought back and levelled the match at 85 with two minutes remaining. But in that time, the home side were more clinical and ended up taking the win in a finale that saw another technical foul called on Abalde (94-87, min. 40).

Baxi Manresa v Real Madrid statistics