Real Madrid shows muscle against an intermittent Baskonia
Real Madrid set the tone early, enforcing a harsh defense and fast offense as the game opened. The Cape Verdean center Walter Tavares anchored the paint, collecting eight points, four rebounds, and a block by the midway point of the first quarter as Madrid raced out to an 11-4 lead. Baskonia battled back with grit, but struggled on offense and in rebounding, finishing the first frame down 18-15. The match carried its weight of tension from the opening whistle, with Real Madrid pressing the tempo and Baskonia hoping to adjust on the floor after the initial stretch.
Both teams rotated through their benches, and the early inability of Baskonia to connect on its outside shots became a noticeable issue. The trio from Baskonia cooled early, while Real Madrid’s rhythm remained steady, and the score lined up to 40-30 at the halftime break. Madrid held the rebounding edge and forced a few hurried shots from Baskonia, dampening the visitor’s momentum as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
The second half began with a decisive burst from Madrid. A 13-0 run swung the momentum decisively, with Rudy Fernandez delivering five consecutive points and Adam Hanga contributing a sustained push in transition and defense. Anthony Randolph joined the surge, and Baskonia found themselves chasing the game as Real Madrid extended the margin to 31-15 midway through the third quarter. Simone Fontecchio found a measure of offense for Baskonia, but the scoring drought persisted, leaving the hosts with a 31-26 deficit at a brisk two-minute window.
The departure of Juan Núñez, who turned 18 that weekend, marked the end of a dynamic first quarter with five straight points, after which the game settled back into a controlled rhythm. The teams paused at 40-30 as the horn signaled halftime. Madrid continued to control the boards in the third, outrebounding Baskonia 25-18 and limiting the visitors to only a couple of 3-pointers across the period while maintaining a firm lead.
The third period unfolded with a calmer pace on the scoreboard as both teams tightened their defensive schemes. Madrid held a 50-32 advantage through the early minutes of the frame, translating defensive stops into a steady flow of scoring opportunities. Wade Baldwin of Baskonia suffered a difficult night and was unable to influence the game as Madrid wore down the guests on both ends of the court. Only Vanja Marinkovic managed to spark a late push for Baskonia, scoring enough to trim the margin to 66-45 as the period neared its end.
From there Real Madrid pressed on the accelerator. Hanga moved to the fore, steering Madrid toward another strong stretch that built a 75-47 lead by the 32nd minute. Coach Pablo Laso began to filter through his bench, giving minutes to players who had not logged many high-visibility moments in recent weeks. Thomas Heurtel rejoined the floor for the final three minutes of the game, marking a return to action after a longer absence. Real Madrid closed out the night with an 83-71 triumph, claiming a clear 2-0 advantage over Baskonia in the best-of-five semi-final series in a contest that felt physically and emotionally resonant for both sides. (EFE)
With the win, Real Madrid reinforced its control in the series, showcasing depth, defense, and a disciplined offensive approach that allowed the team to thrive in key moments. Baskonia, though defeated, demonstrated resilience and continuous effort, making the next matchup an anticipated battle in a tightly contested playoff run.
Data sheet
83 – Real Madrid (18, 22, 26, 17): Hanga 18, Deck 4, Causeur 2, Yabusele 5, Tavares 15 – starting five, Heurtel, Núñez 5, Poirier 6, Taylor 6, Randolph 12, Klavzar, Rudy 10.
71 – Baskonia (15, 15, 15, 26): Baldwin 12, Fontecchio 12, Giedraitis, Peters 9, Enoch 4 – first five – Sedekerskis 4, Raieste, Marinkovic 17, Wetzell 6, Granger 5, Costello 2.
Referees: Emilio Pérez, Fernando Calatrava, Francisco Araña. The night featured a strong crowd and a moment of silence observed before tip-off to honor a former Madrid player.