REPORT | 17/06/2018 | Nacho Díaz | PHOTOGRAPHER: Víctor Carretero
The Whites lay down their hand, coming back on three occasions and regaining the home-court advantage.- Playoff Liga Endesa
- Game 3 (Final)
- Sun, 17 Jun


Baskonia thundered into a Buesa Arena that was packed to the rafters and opened up with a 8-0 run that was broken by Carroll with 5 points in a row after more than three minutes without scoring. But the home side hit back with a +9 (17-8), helped by a suffocating defense that drowned out the Whites. Until Campazzo found cracks in the baskonista defense and gave his side hope. Thompkins continued scoring for Real Madrid with two consecutive treys. Janning hit back to give Baskonia the quarter (24-20).
Play delayed
The second quarter was more even, with interruptions and less pace of play. Doncic decided to attack the home area (5 points) and a three-pointer from Rudy put Madrid ahead for the first time in the match. Baskonia survived from the fouls, stemming from Vildoza and Beaubois. The Whites moved the ball more but it was not reflected in success on the basket. The first half ended with an exchange from the 6.75 line (42-40).
Second Whites league win of the season at the Buesa Arena.
Baskonia started the second half like they begun the game with another +9 (51-42). But then Doncic stepped up to hit eight points from eleven for Real Madrid. The Whites were setting up the comeback as they did on Friday at the WiZink Center as they began to nail the treys they were missing in the first quarter. Baskonia looked to hit back as Laso’s side took charge (63-65).
Carroll in command
Madrid had to endure another big push from the home side with a 9-0 run that cause the alarm bells to ring. But like on so many other occasions, Jaycee Carroll stepped up. He carried the team forward for the second comeback of the match and put his side in front (76-77). Tavares was next to bring his game, both in attack and defense, where he put in two vital blocks. Madrid pressed in defense, Baskonia began to feel the pressure and Doncic killed off the game from the free throw line (78-83).