Jasikevicius’s men succumbed (81-66) against the white team, much superior in rebounding, and the tie is very uphill
The Barça team showed their worst version and ended up completely beaten: only Kuric and Calathes showed any light
Barça Basket was scalded on its first visit to the WiZink Center. And the tie has already entered a dangerous dynamic: the whites have two match points in the Endesa League final. The fourth assault, also in the capital, is presented as an all or nothing. And this time for real.
The azulgranas, who they arrived in Madrid with the pressure of having lost the home court factor with the defeat in the premiere of the finalwere uncomfortable, erratic and vulnerable and did not find the formula to stop the board of the Madrid team. Soft in rebounding and lukewarm in individual marks, the team is on the ropes despite being the big favorite.
Sarunas Jasikevicius’s team already had many difficulties in the first half: the white gale left a team unanswered, they did not know how to close the rebound and were weaker than ever in the interior zones. The second was more of the same: Real Madrid dominated and left sensations especially cold in the Barça team.
These are the individual ratings of the SPORT Newspaper:
Calathes, base – improved (5)
The Greek was very more accurate in the direction of the game and left large-caliber actions. He was decisive in quick transitions, but he made some unforced errors that tarnished his great performance. He lacked one more point to establish himself as the leader that the party requested. Even so, he added a total of 10 points and six assists.
Higgins, shooting guard – on/off (3)
From more to less, Michael Jordan’s godson was cold. His almost 13 minutes on court did not allow him to add more than three points, three rebounds and one assist. The team missed his great ability to be decisive at key moments.
Exum, small forward – fleeting (2)
Back to the rotation to the detriment of a deranged Hayes, he was not that useful player that was expected of him. He barely played five minutes and could only add one rebound. Completely annulled by the white defense.
Mirotic, power forward – limited (4)
He was not the player who showed up in the second round. He did not find his best version, he was absent and could not dominate from the shot. The iron white defense left him completely isolated and disconnected from the match. Nine points and two rebounds with a -19 PIR.
Sanli, center – insufficient (1)
On the line of the second duel. He came back from the start to pack the Barça area, but was completely overtaken by Real Madrid’s inside game. The ghosts of his ankle injury once again left doubts about his real physical condition. He did not add in annotation and contributed only two rebounds and an assist.
Jokubaitis, base – erratic (3)
Electric, but insufficient. It was not that spark that suits the team so well. He had a hard time organizing the game and in one-on-ones he was completely off the mark. Two points, one rebound and three assists in an unusual version.
Laprovittola, shooting guard – off (4)
Something more out of place and tender than in the last match at El Palau. He encountered many obstacles and a team that did not accompany him during his minutes on the track. Six points, four rebounds and an assist in a gray game. If Barça has any real option for the title, it will have to assume stripes again and direct a team that comes out especially touches the third round. Like Mirotic, -19 PIR.
Kuric, shooting guard – unleashed (6)
The American burst in, as usual, from the bench and his success in shooting from mid and long distance launched the team in the most critical moments of the game. He was much more precise than in the first two rounds: he established himself as the highest scoring player in the match with 15 points. 75% success rate in field goals and three three-pointers out of four attempted.
Davies, center – desperate (3)
He fought and fought, but did not resist. It was not as vital as in the second round: eight points, three rebounds and one assist. His unreliability in the free kick ruined his good intentions and unhinged the Barça fans. -11 efficiency, in the team line.
Smits, power forward – applied (4)
It was less buoyant than in the second round, but it was uncomfortable for Real Madrid in the paint. Didn’t go past two points..
Abrines, small forward – warm (2)
It did not add much more than seven minutes and he barely had an impact on the game with three points.
Sergi Martínez, small forward – testimonial (-)
Five minutes on track without incident.