It wasn’t easy what Madrid did this Tuesday, forgetting the strong headache of the Clasico and getting up 48 hours after losing again to Barça. Turn the page and continue playing well, getting better and better, which is what he had shown in the last 88 days, since he fell in Kazan in the first round. In that time, 22 wins in 24 games, both defeats against the Catalans. Nobody looks like Barça, there is no fiercer enemy in the eyes of this Madrid, but beyond the problem to be solved in direct duels, the merengue performance against Unics (85-68), the revelation of the Euroleague, has great merit, the most efficient defense team, although in this postponed duel it made water and was shipwrecked. Madrid pushed him with their cannon shots (14 triples) and an insulting interior dominance (Tavares, 14+11 and PIR of 28) in an exemplary role, which makes him the first to reach 17 wins, some more than Jasikevicius (balance of 17-3 by 16-5).
Great first half and better third quarter. The John Brown effect, that of his defenses and steals (4 this time on a weak night), only intimidated at the start, when the other Brown, Lorenzo, the point guard, had a good start with tacos and put Unics Kazán with + 5 (7-12). From then on, a continuous dilution before the white push. It took Laso’s men a little over half a quarter to find their offensive rhythm and it wasn’t with Heurtel, who went to the bench in minute 4, an express substitution, due to various mistakes on both sides of the pitch (he improved later).
Llull came on, Williams-Goss stayed on, and shortly after Rudy (great stretch in the second quarter: 9 goals then) relieved Abalde with two fouls. And it was Llull who lit the fuse for a continuous fireworks, three out of three, well seen by Yabusele in the first two, balanced, well pitched, and the third at the buzzer in the first act: 21-14. A broadside to sense what was coming in the midst of an overwhelming physical superiority, the rebound (40 to 21 and only two offensive visitors) and the area with Tavares, who saved the short tricks to impose his law. Impossible to compensate with any other aspect of the game. But those were also in favor of the current of the white boat (21 assists). “I love it when the plans go well”, Laso must have thought after a round duel.
Hezonja had a rush of pride, in a half-sprint with Rudy, but at the break everything seemed to break. He did it after the break with more than Tavares and Yabusele on a streak (13 points and 3 of 4 triples) and smiling. The final stretch was played by Alocén, with a mistake in the shot, some loss of more and 5 rebounds. And the last 6 minutes, Thompkins. Deck saw him in street clothes because he wasn’t signed up when the duel was adjourned. And Hanga also for some physical problems. No sign of the Unics, who came down 31 (76-45). Giant reaction of Madrid to the blow of the Clásico.